Bitter Sweet Love Story Of Pak Harto And Bu Tien

Tien Soeharto's mother's birthday (kepustaka-presiden.perpusnas.go.id)

JAKARTA - Leading the country for more than three decades, the Second President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soeharto is known as an authoritarian leader. However, behind Soeharto's strength, there is a soft side that is reflected in his love story with his wife, Tien Soeharto or Siti Hartinah, who is also familiarly called Mrs. Tien.

On 8 June, almost a century ago, namely 1921, Suharto was born. Tien filled most of Suharto's life. Many stories are intertwined between the two. Suharto and Tien first met in Wuryantoro, Wonogiri, Central Java when they were both still teenagers.

Tien and his family at that time were living there. Meanwhile, Soeharto had just moved from Kemusuk Village in Yogyakarta to attend school. In Wuryantoro, Suharto stayed at his uncle Prawirohardjo's house.

It was at school that Soeharto saw Tien, his younger classmate. He was made to fall in love by Tien. According to the story of Suharto's half-brother, Probosutedjo, as noted by Alberthiene Endah in Probosutedjo's Romantika Memoar: Mas Harto and I, Suharto even felt insecure.

He harbored feelings of love for Tien because of differences in social status. Tien, then known as a young woman from the Mangkunegaran nobility.

Several years later, when the war raged, Suharto, who had already held the rank of lieutenant colonel, was met by his aunt, the wife of Prawirowihardjo. The aunt turned out to have the initiative to match Soeharto with Tien. Tit for tat. Their love finally anchored in a wedding that was held on December 26, 1947 in Surakarta.

Loyalty

Soeharto's love for Tien was paid for with great loyalty. Tien always accompanied Suharto through difficult times while leading the New Order. When Suharto was accused of using military facilities while serving in Central Java for business purposes, for example.

At that time, according to Australian historian RE Elson in Suharto: A Political Biography, Soeharto had wanted to quit the military world and changed his steering wheel to become a taxi driver. But Tien both prevented and strengthened him.

"I don't marry a taxi driver, but a soldier. Face this hardship with a cold head, even though your heart is hot," Tien told Suharto.

Tien's loyalty was reciprocated. Soeharto was also noted to have supported Tien in difficulties. Included in the construction of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII). At that time, heavy accusations were directed at Tien, who allegedly demanded a tribute of ten percent from every state project related to TMII. At that time, Soeharto desperately defended Tien and his big ambitions.

Not only about TMII. Tien was also hit by unpleasant issues regarding his beliefs. The news on Detik.com said that at that time Tien had participated in Suharto's visit to Myanmar.

During the visit, a journalist found Tien carrying jasmine flowers and walking towards the pagoda. The incident became a conversation. Tien is thought to worship a pagoda.

Not only a state scandal. The relationship between Suharto and Tien was also colored by the issue of infidelity. It was rumored that the President at that time flirted with celebrities with the initials R. However, Soeharto rejected the news. According to him, the issue was only a political strategy to bring him down in the election.

"We, my wife and I, are both loyal, love each other, full of understanding and trust in each other," said Suharto as quoted from his autobiography, Soeharto: My Thoughts, Sayings and Actions.

"The issue develops among students and housewives. In fact, I have never met and met him. Such issues are just bad attempts by some parties who do not like me," Soeharto.

Separated by death

The love story of Soeharto and Tien lasts until death separates. The heartbreaking thing happened when Tien died.

Just then, the strong defensive shield of this famous general for his assertiveness collapsed. Soeharto even looked giddy when his soul mate left for good.

"Piye to, how come a person can be scavenged? (How come it can't be helped?)" Soeharto said when he faced the fact that he had just lost his wife as written in Pak Harto's book: The Untold Stories.

Tien died on April 25, 1996 at the Pertamina Central Hospital. According to the official report, the dimpled woman died of a heart attack.

Tien's departure was the heaviest blow for Suharto. There are many intrigues, as well as political enemies, that this man has faced. However, at that time, no trial was as big as the departure of the woman who had been married for 49 years with him.

After his death, Suharto did not remarry until his death picked him up. He died on January 27, 2008 due to multifunctional organ failure.