200,000 rally in Yogyakarta

By Max Lane

On August 26, 200,000 people rallied in Yogyakarta to protest against the refusal of the Indonesian government to ratify Sultan Hamengku Buwono X as governor of Yogyakarta.

The rally adopted a manifesto calling on the government to appoint Hamengku Buwono X; implement Law No. 3, 1950, which grants special status to Yogyakarta; and hold a referendum as soon as possible to allow Yogyakarta's population to affirm their support for the special status.

The region was granted special status in 1950 in recognition of the services provided to the national revolution by the Sultan of Yogyakarta, Hamengku Buwono IX. Hamengku Buwono IX was vice-president to former President Suharto for one term. After his death, Suharto arranged for a member of another branch of the Yogyakarta royal family to become governor.

Hamengku Buwono X is a businessman and land-holder. He has actively campaigned for the regime's party, GOLKAR, in the past but backed the anti-Suharto movement last May.

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