Memories Of Prabowo Subianto's Luxury Marriage - Titiek Suharto Who Was Flooded With Criticism

The wedding reception of the son of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Soeharto, Tititk Suharto with Prabowo Subianto at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Jakarta, May 8, 1983. (ANRI)

JAKARTA - Suharto never wanted an ordinary celebration for his children's marriage. The president of Indonesia in the 1967-1998 era only wanted a luxurious and lively image. The live performance was highlighted in the selection of the location of the wedding and the guests of the congregation.

A luxurious marriage was also held when Prabowo Subianto married his son, Siti Hediati Hariyadi (Titiek Suharto). The wedding was attended by thousands of invitees, from officials to businessmen. Something that made the marriage of the two flooded with criticism.

The style of authoritarian leadership is the main feature of the Soeharto and New Order governments. Authoritarian Suharto was able to mobilize the military to control various sectors. These include security, economy, and politics.

This power made Suharto able to achieve all kinds of political ambitions. Everything could have been broken down according to the wishes of The Smiling General. This portrait makes the cruel aroma lead to Suharto's figure.

Different stories will be obtained if you take the view of the Cendana Family. Suharto is everything. He is willing to do everything for the Cendana Family. Instead of just giving his family space to do business, Suharto was able to prefer his family to life's recycling affairs. Everything wanted to be celebrated by Suharto.

Marriage, especially. He did not want his children's wedding celebrations to tend to be normal. Suharto only wanted a luxurious and lively celebration.

This condition was highlighted when his son married simultaneously at the Bogor Palace on January 29, 1972. Siti Hardijanti Hastuti Rukmana's marriage (Tutut) with Indra Rukhmana, and Sigit Harjojudanto with Elsje Anneke Ratnawati.

The celebration took place luxuriously because not just anyone could get married at the Bogor Palace, which incidentally was the presidential palace. Therefore, the marriage of the first and second children became the first largest party held by Suharto. Moreover, Probosutedjo (Suharto's younger brother) had to temporarily move house to take care of the wedding party.

Suharto also did the same condition when he married another child. This desire was highlighted when the son of Indonesian economic fighter Soemitro Djojohadikoesoemo, Prabowo Subianto proposed to his son, Titiek in 1983.

Suharto also wanted the wedding party to be held luxuriously and lively. No.

Even our Cendana children's wedding business intervened. I still remember the sweet memories of how difficult it was for us to handle Tutut and Sigit's marriage. I had to move house, from Tomang to Menteng, so that every day I could follow the stages of preparation."

"The trouble that brings happiness. Their wedding party is very unique. Tutut and Indra Rukmana's wedding, as well as Sigit and Elsye, were held simultaneously at the Bogor Palace. A very lively event. This was the first biggest party ever held by Mas Harto and Mbakyu Harto," said Probosutedjo as written by Alberthiene Endah in the book Memoar Romantika Probosutedjo: Me and Mas Harto (2010).

Prabowo-Titiek's marriage is no less magnificent. The Smiling General itself has even vacated the schedule long ago from the state agenda. The sacrifice was carried out to be fully involved in preparing for his daughter's wedding.

Pendopo Sasono Agung Utomo and Sasoso Langen Budaya were chosen as the venue for the wedding which took place on May 8, 1983. Suharto made sure everything went well, from the wedding committee to the rain handler.

Those who witnessed marriage were no less classy. Witness from Suharto's side is the Vice President of Indonesia, Umar Wirahadikusumah. Meanwhile, Soemitro is the Chairman of the Supreme Audit Agency who is also the former Commander of ABRI, General M. Jusuf.

The celebration was reported by all mass media as one of the grand weddings that existed that year. There were not a few invited guests present. President Suharto wanted his son's wedding to bring guests up to three thousand people.

The result was brilliant. The wedding ceremony was lively. However, problems arose. The luxurious wedding received criticism from here and there. Prabowo-Titiek's marriage actually made Suharto like his own saliva.

Everything was because Suharto had issued Presidential Decree (Kepres) Number 10 of 1974. The Presidential Decree invited government employees to live a simple life. The holding of a luxurious wedding became a dilemma. Because, the number one person in Indonesia actually shows himself a luxurious life.

This condition is then like proof that living a simple life among high-ranking officials is just a lie if it cannot be said to be a necessity.

Suharto's luxurious wedding became the trigger for other officials to hold a luxurious and large celebration. The matter of violating the Presidential Decree is not a problem. All because the New Order is not really serious about imposing sanctions from the rules that are made by itself.

Two decades since Suharto stepped down from the seat of Indonesia's supreme ruler, the mass media still often makes the Cendana Family a subject of reporting. Starting from criminal cases that entangle family members, to personal matters such as marriage and divorce."

"This shows public interest in Suharto and his family who have not completely disappeared. In fact, after they no longer have political power following the fall of the New Order," explained Dhianita Kusuma Pertiwi in the book Regarding the New Order (2021).