JAKARTA - Hoegeng Imam Santoso was one of the most prominent figures during the New Order (Orba) era. His righteous demeanor not only gave birth to admiration but also ban. He was banned from a number of public events, including weddings. But not all submit to the New Order. Casino 'Warkop DKI' for example. The casino didn't care and instead invited Hoegeng to be the guardian of the wedding.
Nothing has changed from Hoegeng's figure when he was still active as a policeman and retired. He has maintained his upright attitude since he resigned as National Police Chief in 1971. He is always concerned, concerned, worried and critical of any state official who perpetuates corruption to abuse of office. His actions made the New Order government indirectly begin to limit Hoegeng's movement.
"According to Hoegeng, at that time not a few national leaders lost their authority because their eyes were mistaken by power and material so that what was called the rule of law was violated by themselves. So where should the people take refuge and ask for help, if their hopes are running low? It is precisely because of this decline that Hoegeng does not want to remain silent even though he is no longer the National Police Chief, has become the man on the street,” wrote Aris Santoso et al in the book Hoegeng: A Cooling Oasis Amid the Corrupt Behavior of National Leaders (2009).
As a result, many people discouraged from inviting Hoegeng to various events. The fear was justified. This is because the New Order government under Suharto saw those who criticized him as a common enemy. So, anyone who participates in perpetuating the existence of people who criticize them will be exiled, aka also banned.
However, the man named Complete Kasino Hadiwibowo was not afraid. The man who joined the legendary comedy group Warkop DKI actually encouraged Hoegeng as his marriage guardian to marry Amarmini on April 30, 1976. At that time, Kasino was well aware of all the consequences. Even Kasino itself often criticizes through humor to New Order.
The medium at that time was on Radio Prambors. Not once or twice but the criticism was given many times. Especially to the Sandalwood Family. Because of that came the typical jargon of Warkop DKI: Laugh Before Laughing is Forbidden.
“The atmosphere became clearer and more impudent when the jam session singer of 1970s nostalgic student songs began to heat up and uttered half-protest songs such as the song Dang-dang Tut Akar Aling-aling, while continuing the sentence 'Bambang si Tutut, the father of the thief king.' In fact, the Casino held a competition on what the abbreviation Toshiba (Tommy, Sigit, Bambang) means,” recalls Rudy Badil in the book Warkop: Playing, So Not Playing (2010).
Banned by Orba openly
The most obvious ban on Hoegeng began when Indonesia's number one Suharto misinterpreted Pancasila to silence his political opponents in 1980. Hoegeng did not remain silent. Together with 49 other national figures, Hoegeng conveyed his criticism of Suharto through the mouthpiece of the Petition 50 Group.
“This 1952 PTIK alumnus prefers to be a free person, he appears with the Hawaiian Senior music group on TVRI, the only television channel at that time. However, the western music with the flower garland was deemed to be incompatible with the 'national personality' by the Minister of Information, Ali Moertopo, so he was not allowed to perform again. Then Hoegeng joined his critical colleagues in Petition 50. He kept it simple. When this group meets at Ali Sadikin's house, it is not uncommon for Hoegeng to ride a bajaj,” wrote Asvi Warman Adam in the book Uncovering Mysteries of History (2010).
In fact, criticism from the Petition 50 Group angered Suharto. All members of Petition 50 are considered as political enemies. They were later sentenced to civil death penalty. The forms of civil death include banning abroad, being isolated from mass media reports, stopping television shows, and being prohibited from attending various social events, including weddings.
One of them, Hoegeng was once so happy to accept the offer of his friend Soemitro Djojohadikoesoemo to be the guardian of his son's marriage, Prabowo Subianto who married Siti Hediati Hariyadi (Titiek Suharto). However, Soemitro was not as brave as Kasino. The plan then fell apart.
Soemitro Djodjohadikoesoemo's dream of making Hoegeng the marriage guardian of his son must be dashed. Suharto did not agree that Hoegeng was the witness in his son's marriage. Never mind that. The former National Police Chief was also unable to attend Prabowo's wedding. In fact, Soemitro did everything he could to persuade Suharto. The result is nil. Suharto remained in his position forbidding Hoegeng from being involved in all events attended by him, without exception.
Another of Hoegeng's friends, the former governor of DKI Jakarta, Ali Sadikin, shared a similar fate (1966-1977). Soemitro even went directly to the house of Ali Sadikin, who is also part of the Petition 50 Group. Soemitro apologized for not inviting him to Prabowo's wedding. Even though Soemitro had tried, Suharto's answer remained the same. Ali Sadikin and Hoegeng have understood.
“The most obvious thing is when Mitro (Soemitro Djodjohadikusumo) will marry his son, Prabowo. Mr. Mitro came alone to Mr. Hoegeng's house and to my house. Even though he is an old man, what is the meaning of this for me. Apparently he wanted to respect me and wanted to express his regret.”
“Mr. Mitro came to apologize for not being able to invite me, because he said he had tried, but security was still banned. It is also prohibited to invite the Navy, including the Marine Corps. So does the DKI Jakarta Government. I should not be invited to celebrate the opening of the Jakarta Fair (PRJ), even though I founded PRJ," said Ali Sadikin as written by Ramadhan KH in the book Press Asking, Bang Ali Answering (1995).
*Read other information about the NEW ORDER or read other interesting articles from Detha Arya Tifada.
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