Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Exactly 20 years ago, President Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur impeached in the Special Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), Monday, July 23, 2001. A few days before the day of impeachment, a tense situation was felt at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta.
Starting from the muzzle of the armored vehicle on the Monas Square that leads to the Palace, to the crowd of Gus Dur’s supporters who packed Jalan Merdeka Utara, Jakarta.
Even the situation inside the Palace was described by Gus Dur’s daughter, Anita Hayatunnufus Wahid, at that time no less tense.
“It feels really scary,” said Anita when talking to CNNIndonesia.com, Saturday (17/7).
He described the time when people closest to Gus Dur were discussing, especially about the consequences of Gus Dur’s information.
Gus Dur then released three pieces of information as a form of match at the Special Session of the MPR which was scheduled to be held on 23 July 2001. The information was released early in the morning before the implementation of the Special Session.
The content of the information is the dissolution of the MPR/DPR, returning sovereignty to the people and freezing the Golkar Party.
“Every time I turned around, there were a bunch of people huddled together ngomogin that, so the atmosphere is very tense,” said Anita.
Not to mention the odd things like the Presidential Housekeeper who started separating his family’s personal belongings and the palace’s inventory.
Even though at that time Gus Dur had not been officially impeached.
“Ethically questioning. What is this. How come from the taste, it seems as if you already know that you will get out of here,” said Anita.
Meanwhile, across from the Palace, according to Anita, in the Monas square, hundreds of armored vehicles and tanks belonging to soldiers headed for the Palace. TNI combat vehicles had been parked there to hold the rally several days before the day before Gus Dur’s ouster.
The tense atmosphere was also acknowledged by another daughter of Gus Dur, Alissa Qotrunnada Wahid. Gus Duritu’s eldest son said his father at that time requested that their mother, Sinta Nuriyah, be temporarily evacuated to a private residence in Ciganjur, South Jakarta.
But Alissa refused and insisted on staying with Gus Dur at the Palace no matter what.
“I don’t want to. I said, ‘No, sir, we are with you,'” said Alissa, Friday (16/7).
But Gus Dur also insisted. ‘This is a dangerous condition, son… Anything can happen, so you’re here. But you guys have to go home, you have to take care mama’,” said Alissa imitating Gus Dur’s words at that time.
Alissa could only cry hearing Gus Dur’s answer. Alissa was worried that if she separated at that time, it would be difficult to see her father again.
Alissa also admitted that several times she saw Gus Dur angry and spoke in a high tone, even hitting the table.
Alissa later learned from Mahfud MD, that at that time Gus Dur was furious because there were parties who offered Gus Dur assistance but on the condition that there would be implementation of Islamic law in Indonesia.
“Gus Dur hit the table at that time, then he said, it’s the same as dissolving Indonesia,” said Alissa.
“So indeed the situation is very tense,” said Gus Dur’s eldest daughter.
Another Gus Dur daughter, Inayah Wulandari Wahid, said that before Gus Dur’s impeachment, outside the Palace since July 21, many groups of people supporting Gus Dur had gathered. The longer it goes, the more that come.
“By the time the decree (edict) was read, the palace was actually full of people. Various elements ranging from students, activist friends, to many figures. I’ve never seen such a full palace,” said Inayah.
The tension grew even more because it turned out that outside the Palace there were also groups opposing Gus Dur. Although there were no clashes, the atmosphere became tense at that time.
“It’s not a happy or okay situation,” he said.
In the end, although the decree or edict was issued, Gus Dur did not get support from the parliament. Gus Dur was finally impeached by the MPR as the highest state institution at that time as well as giving the mandate to the president.
Impeached on July 23, Gus Dur did not leave the Palace immediately, although a few days later he chose to leave the Presidential Palace, where he has lived for the last 21 months.
Worried about Bloody Clash
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