Reformation Part Two

KOMPAS/EDDY HASBY

Thousands of students from Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi came to the MPR/DPR building in May 1998, demanding reforms and the resignation of President Soeharto. Some students staged a sit-in on the roof of the MPR/DPR building.

For three days on 20-22 May 1998, Kompas’ coverage showed dramatic political changes in this country.

On May 20, 1998, Kompas wrote "Pak Harto: I am tired of being President". Former president Soeharto's statement was made during a meeting with community leaders at the Merdeka Palace, Central Jakarta. Then, on 21 May 1998, Kompas wrote "Welcome to the New Government". The title was taken from a statement by the chairman of Muhammadiyah Amien Rais and scholar Nurcholish Madjid at Malik Fadjar's house before dawn on 21 May, 1998.

Also read:

> Protecting, Looking After Democracy after ‘Reformasi’

> Evaluation urged of Reform Era Institutions

And, indeed, on 21 May, 1998, at 10:00 a.m., Soeharto announced his resignation as president, to be replaced by then-vice president BJ Habibie. Kompas, on 22 May 1998, wrote a news item entitled "BJ Habibie Asks for People's Support". From a formal and textual point of view, Soeharto never declared his resignation as president. He stopped acting as president and according to the constitution, former vice president BJ Habibie replaced him. However, in empirical reality, Soeharto stepped down.

The 1998 reform movement, often called Reformation, is part of the black history of this nation. Riots occurred in a number of places, especially in Jakarta. Many people died in the riots. The reform movement began with the kidnapping of activists. Many activists have returned and are still alive. However, there are also activists who are still missing until now. Political violence still occurs. The shooting of Trisakti students on 13 May, 1998, was followed by the Semanggi I and II Tragedy.

KOMPAS/JB SURATNO

President Soeharto gives a press statement after a meeting with religious scholars, community leaders, community organizations and ABRI at the Merdeka Palace, 19 May 1998, two days before resigning as president.

It has been 25 years since the reform movement or reformation began. The reform agenda, such as amending the 1945 Constitution, regional autonomy and removing the dual function of the Armed Forces, has already been implemented. However, demands for reforms to eradicate corruption, collusion and nepotism may still falter. Corruption, collusion and nepotism remain rampant. The post-reformation government has not been able to overcome corruption, collusion and nepotism. Law enforcement is trapped in the industrialization of law.

Also read:

> Reputation of “Children” of Reform Fading Away

> Decaying Institutions

The 25^th anniversary of the reform movement was commemorated in a number of places. We see reform commemoration as a good reminder for the nation's public, which has a very short memory. Most of the TikTok generation does not understand what happened in May 1998, when Jakarta was on fire because there was elite political competition that sacrificed ordinary people. Social media portrays an elite figure as they are innocent and enjoy impunity.

The reform agenda must continue to be fought for. The threat of the death of democracy needs to be anticipated. With rampant corruption, steps must be taken to overcome it. ABRI's social mission that has been fought for needs to be maintained so that it does not turn into a "double function" in another formal way: control over businessmen, which is then called an oligarchy. The second reform must be formulated by civil society that still has dreams and ideas to bring justice across generations, realizing social justice for all Indonesian people.

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi