Describe Suharto Like Jesus: The Last Parody Of Tempo Magazine's Efficient Style

The cover portrait of Tempo magazine February 4-10 2008 edition. (Special / Us-indarto.blogspot.com)

JAKARTA - Suharto's departure brings deep sorrow to the Indonesian people. He is like an ordinary man, there is a mistake and there is goodness. However, the atmosphere of grief was disturbed by Tempo magazine.

They tried to translate Suharto's departure through the cover of the February 4-10 magazine 2008. Suharto was described as Jesus and resembled the painting scene of The Last Supply (Last Officer) by Leonardo da air. The magazine's cover caused an uproar. Nasrations throughout Indonesia criticized Tempo's actions a lot.

Suharto passed away on January 27, 2008. The departure of the 2nd former President of Indonesia brought deep sorrow. The Indonesian people are starting to recall the achievements and kindness of Suharto and the New Order.

Not a few of those who raised the controversial side. Tempo Magazine also tried to reduce special reports that summarize Suharto's footsteps from the mystery of the family tree to the controversy of leading Indonesia.

The news that appeals to readers of Tempo magazine is presented with an interesting title. Last Great General?, Mystery of Children of Kemusuk Village, In The Eyes of the Seteru, and so on. The special report was contained in the February 4-10 edition of Tempo magazine 2008.

Tempo's narrative does not violate the rules. An obituary not only has to review mere kindness, but it can also be related to breakthroughs to the controversy of figures during life. The national press figure, Rosihan Anwar often makes it.

There are no readers who have a problem with the news of Tempo magazine. However, the problem of Tempo magazine actually uses Suharto's figure as the cover. Tempo tried to do a parody of Leonardo da airshop's famous painting, the Last episode.

The magazine depicts Suharto as a Jesus with the title After He Left. Even though Suharto was only accompanied by the Cendana Family, which amounted to six three people on the right, three more on the left.

The image is not like the Last eclipse that made 12 of Jesus' students present before the crossing. There is no bread and wine. Tempo replaces it with empty plates and glasses.

There are two things that cause this cover image to attract attention. First, in the metaphor, if the Tempo cover can be interpreted: After Mr. Harto died, the life of the Suharto family would be nil"

"Second, from its spirit. With this parody image, Tempo seems to continue the enthusiasm of the artists to interpret the image of "The Last Supply" from all sides. And this interpretation can be based on the choice of the aesthetic side, artistic, setting, the composition, the character, the property, the style, the colors, the events, the drama, to the symbol and the biblical story," said Agus Dermawan T in the Karnavalultulhikayat (2021).

The courage of Tempo magazine parodikan the Last episode received various comments. Those who support think Tempo appears as usual and dares to raise taboo and unique things as the cover of the magazine.

Those who criticize are more. Criticism is not in terms of the contents of the magazine. However, criticism because Tempo dared to replace Jesus with Suharto. This condition brings the interpretation that Suharto is not much different from Jesus.

Criticism also came from various representatives of Catholics. This Catholic representative calls himself the PMKRI Alumni Forum, the Indonesian Catholic Community Forum (FMKI), the Indonesian Democracy Solidarity 9SDKI), Indonesian Catholic Women, PMKRI, Catholic Youth, and Catholic Bachelorship Association (ISKA).

They consider the last image of a sacred fire. There are important values that are emulated. However, replacing the figure of Jesus with Suharto was considered to hurt the hearts of Christians. The loading of the cover was considered demeaning to Jesus because it was juxtaposed with a controversial figure.

Demonstrations were also carried out. They demanded that Tempo magazine immediately apologize and withdraw the magazine from circulation. Tempo was relieved to receive criticism and criticism. Tempo admitted that they had acted insensitive to the beliefs of Catholics.

Tempo magazine decided to apologize. They admitted that they made the wrong work of the great Da rarely became Suharto's parody in February 2008. The apology was responded positively. Anger did not continue and Tempo magazine continues to be more selective in choosing the cover of its magazine.

But I stopped the herd. Symbols of religion, something sacred, it is difficult to explain to other parties who do not participate in dictating it. This is a very sensitive area. Therefore, I strongly agree that Tempo apologizes. Don't delay the apology for a second, don't look for various excuses, even though there are questions in your heart.

"I salute the generosity of our brothers and Catholics because the problem did not last long, and I also apologize for having enjoyed the cover of the magazine in a different context. This teaches us all, how to respect sacred symbols believed by each religious adherent," explained the founder of Tempo magazine, Goenawan Mohamad in his writing in the Tempo newspaper entitled Sacred (2008).