Exclusive, Not Myth, Lestari Moerdijat Fights For Queen Kalinyamat As A National Hero

The biggest challenge when the Deputy Chairman of the MPR RI, Dr. Lestari Moerdijat, SS, MM, and the team when they wanted to help propose the figure of Ratu Kalinyamat as a national hero, the question was whether she was a real person or just a legend. To answer this question is not an easy matter, due to the lack of empirical evidence regarding the existence of the queen. After wandering here and there, finally found a primary source from Portugal which can be a scientific basis that Queen Kalinyamat is a real figure, not a myth.

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Lestari Moerdijat as a member of the Nasdem Party legislature, the constituency of Central Java II (Kabupaten Kudus, Jepara and Demak) was called upon to appoint the figure of Queen Kalinyamat, who had been proposed as a National Hero but failed.

Her valiant figure as a woman can be imitated. And his spirit to protect the archipelago from foreign intervention in this case the Portuguese can be an example for now and in the future. This is what underlies Lestari through the Dharma Bhakti Lestari Foundation (YDBL), initiating this again.

Queen Kalinyamat with her expertise in diplomacy, according to Lestari, was able to garner strategic cooperation between coastal kingdoms from Aceh to Maluku to unite against European colonialism that had penetrated the archipelago at that time.

"At that time the Portuguese could not be defeated by the kingdoms in the archipelago. However, the Portuguese could not enter the archipelago and only survived in Malacca. After Queen Kalinyamat is gone, then they can explore the archipelago," he said.

Due to the lack of empirical data from within the country, the team that was formed by Lestari had to travel to Portugal. Records of Queen Kalinyamat are still stored neatly in old Portuguese churches. From that note, it is known more clearly what the very feared figure of the Queen is. Queen Kalinyamat is described as a queen who is rich, powerful and very brave.

He said Lestari, had an extraordinary war fleet. The horror of the Portuguese troops is described metaphorically as the horror of people today seeing America's large and fully armed aircraft carrier.

Based on the findings of the Portuguese records, Lestari emphasized that the figure of Queen Kalinyamat was real and not a legend or myth.

“Our friends are amazing, managed to make communication with friends in Portugal. Finally, I was able to find several sources written by missionaries stored in the Catholic church about the greatness of Queen Kalinyamat,” he told Edy Suherli from VOI who conducted an online interview not long ago. Here is the full excerpt.

What made you so persistent in fighting for Queen Kalinyamat to become a National Hero?

Actually (the desire to propose Queen Kalinyamat as a National Hero) was an initiative of the people of Jepara some time ago around 2008 – 2009. At that time there was a suggestion from the Regional Government of Jepara Regency to the Central Government so that Queen Kalinyamat could be given the title of National Hero. At that time there was resistance from the central government. There are two reasons for the refusal. First, is Queen Kalinyamat a real character or a legend? Second, in the legend, Queen Kalinyamat is known to people in a negative context. Among them with his naked asceticism, his oath to kill Arya Penangsang. Then he is also described as carrying out practices that may be considered to violate decency.

I, who happened to be a member of the DPR RI, was elected from the Central Java 2 Dapil which includes Jepara, Kudus and Demak, long before being elected, I was on good terms with the late. Mr. Subroto, Deputy Regent of Jepara. When he met him he told him about Queen Kalinyamat. After that, I and some friends from Jepara tried to find more information about the figure of Queen Kalinyamat. When I was elected to the board of directors, this momentum seemed to resurface. The struggle to carry Queen Kalinyamat as a national hero must be fought again. I, together with the Dharma Bhakti Lestari Foundation (YDBL), initiated this again.

I must say that this is the struggle of all the Japanese people. So it doesn't belong to Lestari Moerdijat or the Nasdem Party alone, it belongs to this nation. We invite all parties, both individuals and organizations who feel they have and desire together to rectify history, let's move together. It is on this basis that this team was formed. We are supported by the Queen Kalinyamat Study Center, Unisnu Jepara, the Lembayung Foundation, community institutions and the Jepara Regional Government. Later the task of submitting this proposal is the Central Java Regional Government.

YDBL prepares data, as stated earlier, these are real figures or legends. For this reason, it must be proven academically. This is where the role taken by YDBL. We prepared a team of experts consisting of a number of experts led by Prof. Ratno, who has been conducting studies for more than three years. And managed to find a primary source in Portuguese which could then be used as a basis for answering questions that arose earlier.

So this Queen Kalinyamat is not a legend?

Yes, Queen Kalinyamat is not a legend. So far, Queen Kalinyamat is known by the public, even her and her husband's tomb is one of the tombs which is still crowded with pilgrims to this day.

If we study history, indeed when there was a transfer of power from the coastal kingdoms to the interior, there was a period that was interrupted. Then the role of the Queen of Jepara completely disappeared. At present we only know that in Jepara there are women of extraordinary power and fear, that is only from the records made by the Portuguese. From the records of our national history, nothing is found, as if it was lost.

What also makes it difficult for our team, the character of Ratu Kalinyamat is always associated with myths. His role must really be proven and it's a shame that currently there are no relics of his own except for his tomb. What is said that Jepara has a shipyard, has a defense industry and so on is almost non-existent. So archaeological evidence we do not get.

But there has been research done and the results are in the form of a book about Queen Kalinyamat. Queen Kalinyamat's book History or Myth, this is the first book made based on speech sources. Then after 4 years of hard work the research team finally managed to collect evidence from empirical research reports. Which in the end can be used as a basis and can be justified academically, becomes primary evidence that the existence of Queen Kalinyamat is real and her role can also be traced as in historical records in Portugal.

How did the citizens of Jepara respond to Queen Kalinyamat's proposal to become a National Hero?

The Japanese people are definitely supportive. Queen Kalinyamat has a grudge against Arya Panangsang, who later in the story or mythology says the Queen left the kingdom and vowed not to dress until her revenge was avenged. He would wash his hair with Arya Penangsang's blood. By people who are under the auspices of Arya Penangsang, the perception of Queen Kalinyamat is certainly different. There is also another interpretation about leaving the kingdom, undressing does not mean naked. But the meaning of leaving greatness.

Why do you think there is a misperception about the figure of Queen Kalinyamat in the Pantura area (North Coast of Java) until there is a ketoprak play which slightly reduces the meaning of Queen Kalinyamat's greatness?

I just found out from friends of Ketoprak Balekambang when I chatted with them. So in the Pantura there is a ketoprak lokon whose title is Ratu Kalinyamat Lonte. It's really sad that it's like this. He said this play was very popular.

How could this happen? If we study history, when a new dynasty emerges, there is a process to deny the previous dynasty. In the Dutch colonial era, this process could also have been carried out, to deny its role these slanderous stories were developed.

And it has survived until now. Don't go any further, my colleague, Mas Sugeng Suparwoto, Chairman of Commission VII DPR RI from the Nasdem Party still has a negative view of Ratu Kalinyamat. My friends at MetroTV, Agus Mulyadi, did a little research on Ratu Kalinyamat. Of the eight people in Java (besides Jepara) who were asked by seven people the answer was negative about Queen Kalinyamat.

In Jepara, Queen Kalinyamat's character is recognized. At the entrance of Jepara there are three statues of female figures; Queen Kalinyamat, Raden Ajeng Kartini and Queen Shima. Because it is in a strategic location when people enter Jepara, they will definitely see. While outside of Japan the perception is very sad; Queen Kalinyamat is considered a myth and has a bad stigma.

So there is a very striking difference between Jepara and areas outside Jepara regarding the impression on Queen Kalinyamat. What's the next plan?

It is our duty if we want to re-submit Queen Kalinyamat as a National Hero, we must be able to answer those questions. The second is to carry out public communication to realign history. That's what we initiated. And thank God, a week ago, the Jepara government formally submitted a letter to the provincial government to be forwarded to the central government. The support from community leaders, cultural figures, religious leaders was also extraordinary. Habib Lutfi himself was pleased to carry out a "movement" to clear the name of Queen Kalinyamat.

In our team there is the opinion of a military observer; Mrs. Connie Rahakundini Bakrie gave me input about Ratu Kalinyamat, actually if it is drawn from the current context, it is very relevant, extraordinary. So how does Queen Kalinyamat already have a vision of the world's maritime axis of thought. How did Queen Kalinyamat already have the idea that if you want to protect our territory, protect the Jepara region, the coastal area from Aceh to the East by protecting the sea. Even Queen Kalinyamat managed to make a Defense Pact which then together started from Aceh to Hitu in the East. He prepared a maritime fleet and blockaded the sea. So the Portuguese army could not enter. Indeed, the Portuguese did not lose, but they stayed in Malacca and entered after the time of Queen Kalinyamat died. But at that time this extraordinary power succeeded in dispelling the Portuguese from returning to Malacca.

What kind of data do you get from the Portuguese about Queen Kalinyamat?

Our friends are amazing, managed to make communication with friends in Portuguese. Finally, I was able to find several sources written by missionaries stored in the church about the greatness of Queen Kalinyamat.

In existing data or travel reports written by Portuguese missionaries, it is said that there are extraordinarily rich and powerful women in Jepara. And this made the Portuguese army at that time shrink. If Mrs. Connie said, they described the greatness as seeing a very large American aircraft carrier. Such was their fear of seeing the Japanese ships.

It is in the records and reports that have been found, these data are finally used by a team of experts and experts to be able to answer that Ratu Kalinyamat is not a myth, but Ratu Kalinyamat is a real character whose role can be proven from various primary sources, ranging from from the records of the journey of the Portuguese as I mentioned earlier and then also some historians of Western historians who did have time to make notes.

So do you think that Queen Kalinyamat's role is enough to become a reason to become a National Hero?

According to law number 20 of 2009 concerning the Title of Merit and Honor, it is clear that the condition for someone to be given a service or honor as a hero is clear. The conditions are citizens who are clearly fighting against the invaders in Indonesian territory. Queen Kalinyamat has also shown the role of defending the country here. He also gave birth to the spirit of anti-colonialism at that time. And his countermeasures clearly show pioneering and heroism. His thoughts below are still very relevant at this point.

Is there a target to complete this plan?

Our process of helping to make this hero title a success has been started since 2018. So the YDBL team that I formed has completed its task. The first of course succeeded in finding primary sources that could be the basis for submissions. This can answer questions and concerns about Queen Kalinyamat is this a myth or not. The second is a series of public and academic test processes that we have carried out because every time there are findings, we always make an open meeting. Whether it's scientific discussions at universities, public discussions become a series of scientific discussions, seminars and so on. And we have submitted the results to the Government of Japan. And they have sent a letter to the Central Java Regional Government. We'll just have to wait for the process.

I am grateful that all parties joined hands to support this effort. Now we pray that this good intention will receive an answer from the government. This is a struggle with the people of Jepara and its surroundings to straighten history. Anyone who has fought and made history in our struggle against colonialism to achieve independence needs attention and a place. And Queen Kalinyamat deserves the title of National Hero.

Experience is the best teacher. Dr. Lestari Moerdijat, SS, MM, proved all that when she was diagnosed with cancer. Since he was still in junior high school until college, he had accompanied his late mother who had to fight against cancer that was eating away at her body. “I, as a cancer survivor, got a chance to live a second life. I always say we have to celebrate life, but we also have to make peace with death. Yes, just do it," he said.

Not only Indonesia, but the whole world stuttered in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic which first emerged from the Far East (Wuhan China). "We also never suspected (COVID-19) until now. Suddenly COVID-19 is about to have its second anniversary," he said.

With this reality, said Rerie – as he is usually called – the existence of this corona will continue to exist. "Finally we realized that it feels like he (COVID-19) will continue to exist, and live with us. Live now how do we see this? We have started the new normal. Since ancient times until now humans have always adapted to circumstances. Finally found technology from the simple to the very advanced today," said the woman who was born in Surabaya, November 30, 1967.

This pandemic, said Rerie, will not be the last, there will be more forms in the future. The key word is how we have to learn and make past experiences as a way to be able to adapt to face the future.

We can't be locked up at home forever, life must return to normal. “Let us adapt while of course we must not forget and keep praying so that Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, the Almighty God, will make a way. We accept this situation with an open heart, with sincerity and willingness it will be easier for us to live. His name is death everyone will experience, it's just a different path. If it is permitted by Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala, we ask to be given a long life, given health, given a path that is not painful and an easy path, "he explained.

Moreover, he is a cancer survivor and comorbid. “I am a comorbid who is still a cancer survivor. Frankly, I myself have only been considered a survivor this February 2022. Previously, he was still in the warrior category because he was not yet 5 years old. It's really hard because my treatment hasn't been finished yet, at the first time of COVID-19 and then suddenly there was a lockdown, we also couldn't do activities or travel. It was indeed difficult for me because there was a period of my treatment that had not been completed and had to be completed not here. I last received treatment in January 2019. So my treatment was stopped,” he said.

What makes Rerie grateful that there are several treatment processes, although not all of them can be done in Jakarta. “Alhamdulillah, last year it was successful that there were several treatments that could be done, although not all of them. But like it or not, adjustments must be made," he admitted.

Admittedly the mobility of people like him is much more difficult than people who are not comorbid differently. "But the more we come here after the knowledge and more about COVID-19, then after we get a lot of resources and the development of science is also fast, it feels like we can get through this," he said optimistically.

He jokingly described his condition of having to shower up to eight times a day after meeting other people. "I'm already more than just a model, if there is a meeting a day I can take eight baths. What can I do, yes, the most cold, but not COVID-19. That's what I have to live with," he said.

Celebrating Life

For Rerie, who is a survivor, one of the keys to healing is acceptance. “If I am a cancer survivor, I will get a chance to live a second life. I've always said we should celebrate life, but we should also come to terms with death. Yes, just do it," he said.

To arrive at such a level of acceptance and low-key attitude, Rerie has had a long and colorful history. “I grew up in a family that was concerned about health, my father was a doctor. But my mother died at the age of 51. He was diagnosed with cancer when he was 40 years old. He could live 11 years before leaving for good. So younger than my age now. When he got cancer I was still in junior high school," he said.

The mother underwent cancer treatment in the Netherlands. And Rerie as the eldest child was assigned to accompany her mother when she was undergoing treatment in the Windmill Country in the 1980s. Although it was heavy, but it was done with fun. “He made the treatment something fun and took us out for walks. Even though my job is to accompany my mother for treatment. For almost three years living it," he said.

When Rerie became an adult and was in college, her mother had invited her to have a discussion. "I began to understand and when I went to college, the deceased did not spread anxiety but invited him to discuss what he would face day after day after undergoing various medical procedures," he said.

When one day Rerie also received a cancer verdict like her mother had, she immediately remembered what her late mother had experienced. “I am grateful that through everything, I am reminded of the steps taken by my mother. He seemed to never show any pain at all. One thing I just realized, before she died, my mother was asked to speak at the congress of oncology doctors in Malang in 1990 to tell her experience,” he said.

My mother said something like, “I don't sing because I'm happy, but I'm happy because I sing. There I understand. At that time my mother often asked me to sing, it turned out that it was her way to release her pain. The experience of accompanying my mother really helped me when I also had cancer. This includes teaching self-healing methods,” said Lestari Moerdijat.

Early Check

In the momentum of February which is called Cancer Month. Rerie emphasized that breast cancer and cervical cancer which mostly suffer from women can actually be cured. "As a woman, I want to convey that many cancers are found, namely breast cancer and cervical cancer, which can be cured with early detection," she said.

"I want to invite everyone, to let us invite our neighbors, our brothers, our mothers, our aunts, our friends to do early detection. Do self-examinations and on people who have high potential like me, to check early and do regular checkups," he said.

By knowing earlier, we say, we can get things done earlier and handle things better. "That's the key, healthy greetings to all," said Lestari Moerdijat, ending the conversation.

“Four years of hard work, the research team has finally succeeded in gathering evidence from empirical research reports. And this can be used as a basis and can be accounted for academically, as primary evidence that the existence of Queen Kalinyamat is real and her role can also be traced as in historical records in Portugal.

Dr. Lestari Moerdijat, SS, MM