'It's Better To Die Standing,' Ribka Tjiptaning Remembers Kudatuli, Stories Of New Order Pressure To Megawati

PDIP DPP chairman Ribka Tjiptaning gave a statement to reporters at the PDIP DPP head office, Central Jakarta, Sunday (27/7/2025). (ANTARA/Fianda Sjofjan Rassat)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the PDI-P DPP Ribka Tjiptaning emphasized that Megawati Soekarnoputri's victory in the PDI Extraordinary Congress (KLB) in Surabaya on December 2, 1993 was the fruit of people's support.

This statement was made by Ribka in the 29th anniversary of the July 27, 1996 or known as Kudatuli, at the PDI-P DPP Office, Jalan Diponegoro, Central Jakarta, Antara, Sunday, July 27.

"Megawati? He is only supported by the people and he won because of the people," said Ribka in front of the commemoration participants.

Ribka said that Megawati's victory at that time made the New Order government panic. The victory was not recognized, and all forms of support for Megawati were prohibited. In fact, the government encourages the holding of a counter congress in Medan.

At that time, continued Ribka, there were only three political parties. Despite appearing democratic, the election results are always predictable. He said the political system at that time was full of engineering.

Ribka also revealed that her political attitude during the New Order era had a direct impact on her personal life. Her clinic is closed by the government. However, he emphasized that he never regretted that choice.

"For me, it's better to die standing in front of the opponent, than to knelt in front of him," he said.

Meanwhile, a former member of the DPR and a historical actor in Kudatuli, Jacobus Mayong, hopes that the commemoration of July 27 will not only be a ceremony.

"I hope that what we are doing today is not just a ceremony, but really interpreted as a form of struggle that should be," said Mayong.

Similarly, historian Hilmar Farid views the Kudatuli incident as clear evidence that the New Order's power is afraid of the organized power of the people, one of which is through Megawati's leadership.

"This incident must live as inspiration, especially for the new generation who join the PDI-P. How? Listen to the historical actors themselves," said Hilmar.

In the series of events, a talk show entitled Event 27 July 1996 As An Indonesian Democratic Milestone, presented Djarot Saiful Hidayat and Ribka Tjiptaning as resource persons. The discussion was guided by a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Denny Cagur.

Sejumlah tokoh turut hadir dalam acara ini, di antaranya Bonnie Triyana, Sadarestuwati, Wiryanti Sukamdani, Ronny Talapessy, dan Deddy Yevri Sitorus. Tampak pula Wakil Sekjen DPP PDI-P Yoseph Aryo Adhi Darmo dan Wakil Bendahara Umum Yuke Yurike. Guntur Romli memimpin doa penutup dalam peringatan tersebut.

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A number of figures were also present at this event, includingctional Triyana, Sadarestuwati, Wiryanti Sukamdani, Ronny Talapessy, and Deddy Yevri Sitorus. Deputy Secretary General of the PDI-P DPP Yoseph Aryo Adhi Darmo and Deputy General Treasurer Yuke Yurike also appeared. Guntur Romli led the closing prayer in the commemoration.