Monday, July 27, 2026, in the morning, the front page of the PDI-P Central Committee Office on Jalan Diponegoro, Jakarta, was not only filled with cadres and invited guests. In a place that holds the traces of one of the darkest events in Indonesia's democratic journey, memories are called back.
In front of the newly inaugurated Kudatuli Monument, Megawati Soekarnoputri took a slow step. Her hand held a flower which was later sprinkled as a tribute to those who were victims of the July 27, 1996 Incident or commonly called Kudatuli.
The procession took place without any commotion. Silence seemed to be the most appropriate language to remember a tragedy that until now still has a mark in Indonesian political history.
Megawati is not alone. Standing by his side is his son, Prananda Prabowo, with his wife Nancy Prananda and their two children, Muhammad Prabhaswara Pranakarno and Diah Safira Octaliakasih. Meutia Hatta and Halida Hatta, the daughters of the first Vice President Mohammad Hatta, were also present. Among the guests was also the actress Dolorosa Sinaga, a figure who was trusted to realize the monument into a work that now stands tall.
The flowers placed in front of the monument are not just a symbol of respect. It is a marker that an event that once shook the nation's democratic journey does not want to be lost in time.
After scattering flowers, Megawati and guests raised their hands with the "Free" struggle salute. A simple gesture, but full of meaning. As if confirming that the struggle to maintain democracy is not just a past story, but a mandate that continues to be passed down.
The Kudatuli monument itself carries a strong message. The work features a woman who embraces five figures with bowed heads. A picture of protection, grief, and firmness.
In front of the monument, Megawati specifically expressed her gratitude to Dolorosa Sinaga. For him, the sculptor managed to translate something that had been living in his contemplation space.
"Brothers and sisters who I love, I especially thank the actress I know and am good at. I call her Mbak Dolorosa Sinaga, who has described well what I have contemplated all this time," said Megawati.
For the fifth President of the Republic of Indonesia, the monument was not born just like that. It started from a long journey of contemplation - thinking, contemplating, and praying about Indonesia's ideals that have not yet been fully realized.
In his reflection, Megawati admitted that he often asked when the Republic of Indonesia could really become a self-sufficient, prosperous country, and provide prosperity and security for all its people. The question, according to him, continues to accompany his life and struggle.
From contemplation, the idea of what he called "revolutionary patience" was born. A belief that the struggle not only requires courage, but also the determination to continue without giving up.
"This monument depicts the revolutionary patience that is born from faith, firmness, and courage," said Megawati.
For Megawati, faith must be followed by the courage to fight for it. However, courage alone is not enough. There is firmness to survive and patience not to despair when ideals have not been achieved.
Under the Jakarta sky, the Kudatuli Monument now stands not only as a collection of stone and metal. It became a space of memory. A place of grief, hope, and struggle meet in one message: democracy is not born without sacrifice, and history must not be forgotten.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
