Story Of Iwan Fals And Mbak Tini's Song, Which Is Considered Insulting President Soeharto And Mrs. Tien

Iwan Fals, who was banned by the New Order Regime in April 1984 because of a song called Mbak Tini which was considered insulting to President Soeharto and Mrs. Tien. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - Virgiawan Listanto is living in the midst of the golden age of the New Order. The man who is familiarly called Iwan Fals witnessed the bitterness of being led by President Soeharto. No one dared to oppose him. Those who oppose and criticize will be severely punished. Enjoyed the iron bars, especially.

Iwan Fals was furious. He uses music as a medium to promote resistance. Mbak Tini's song, for example. The song is considered insulting to the figure of President Soeharto and First Lady Tien Soeharto.

Soeharto's government with the New Order (Orba) was once considered a savior. Soeharto is predicted to be able to make the Indonesian economy skyrocket. Even the life of the nation and the state can run in harmony. In fact, hope remains hope. His leadership often provoked criticism.

He is considered a figure who is too powerful and strong. Especially with his ability to move the military. Who does not heed his wishes will be left and exiled. If it was a high-ranking state official, then Soeharto would be the ambassador or was made an ambassador, so as not to touch Indonesian politics. Meanwhile, if the criticism is from commoners, The Smiling General will perpetuate the punishment.

Mbak Tini's song by Iwan Fals was banned. (YouTube Screenshot)

Soeharto's actions in using his power became increasingly violent. His children, wife, and son-in-law are involved in national projects. This unprofessional act gave rise to many opponents. Iwan Fals, is one of them. The fictitious songs often contain criticism about the New Order.

He saw no justice in the leadership of President Soeharto. All Indonesian people also support him. The song was received with great fanfare. Moreover, songs such as Bento (1989), Bongkar (1989), and Surat Buat Wakil Rakyat (1987) represent the voices of all Indonesian people. Iwan Fals' criticism was also famous. The songs are timeless and are often sung by students who demonstrate to ask President Soeharto to step down from leadership.

“On May 17, 1998, the students decided to occupy the parliament building. The following day, Monday, students from the Greater Jakarta and Bandung areas demanded the resignation of Soeharto, who arrived in parliament in the morning. They displayed a banner that said: Reform or Die. Interestingly, the armed forces did not try to prevent the anti-Soeharto students from entering.”

“The protesting students remained in place after failing to meet with Harmoko. Speeches were held at a free stage, posters and banners were displayed, among them declaring the students' resolve, Reform or die, slogans were uttered, and patriotic songs were sung. They also sang Letters for the People's Representatives, a song by Iwan Fals," said Kees van Dijk in the book A Country in Despair: Indonesia Between 1997 and 2000 (2002).

Mbak Tini's song

Iwan Fals' career journey has not been smooth. His courage to criticize through songs is often thwarted. For example, when Iwan Fals performed at the Sports Hall in Pekanbaru, Riau, April 1984. Iwan Fals brought two songs that were never on his music albums: Demokrasi Nasi dan Mbak Tini.

Initially, the Iwan Fals concert went smoothly. Nobody interrupts or stops the concert. However, disaster appeared after the concert was over. Because of these two songs, Iwan Fals had to deal with the Korem 031 Pekanbaru.

He had to go back and forth from Hotel Riau – Korem 031 to be interrogated for 12 days. Iwan Fals is considered to be disturbing national stability and disturbing the community. All because the two songs are considered insulting to the country. Moreover, Iwan Fals is considered to have insulted President Soeharto and his wife, Mrs. Tien.

The song "Demokrasi Nasi" tells the story of a minister's son who becomes a troublemaker and commits an arbitrary act: shooting people to death. Miraculously there are no sanctions imposed by the state.

President Suharto and his family. (Wikimedia Commons)

While Mbak Tini's song is considered insulting to President Soeharto and his wife. There are two characters in the song. Mbak Tini who led to Mrs. Tien, and her husband Soehardi. However, Iwan Fals who is still quite young, 22 years old, changed the name Soehardi to Soeharto when he performed on stage.

Iwan Fals burst into tears during the interrogation. He couldn't help but cry because the one who was interrogating him was a scary figure. Just after 12 days, Iwan Fals was released. It was not proven to be insulting.

Because, there are no words in the lyrics that point directly to the number one person in Indonesia. As a souvenir from Pekanbaru, the person who interrogated him gave Iwan Fals a gift. He was given a surname. Siahaan clan.

“Mbak Tini's song is about the driver and the shop assistant. Both of them want to form a sakinah mawaddah warahmah household. But due to the fate of the ex-thug driver being laid off, eventually turning back to being a criminal. His wife also, because she was far from her husband returned to being a prostitute. That was interpreted as insulting the head of state, right, the name was the same, Soeharto."

“In fact, I had those thoughts, at that time I was really young. At that time he asked, yes, I don't know, at that time (I answered Soehardi) who was a meatball maker, or maybe he was the deceased himself (Soeharto). Because he always decorates television. That's what's stuck in my head. When there was a question why Tini, why Soeharto, I was also confused about the answer. Maybe yes, maybe not. I'm too busy crying. Because that's what I was asking at the time, I was so scared. I haven't slept for a few days,” said Iwan Fals in the Kick Andy talk show, February 5, 2010.