TRIBUNNEWS.it – On May 21, 1998, exactly 25 years ago, the 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia, Suharto, officially ended his position as the number one person in Indonesia for 32 years.
Suharto officially stepped down as President of the Republic of Indonesia after a series of mass protests and protests in various regions for some time.
Suharto gave his last speech at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta before officially handing over the presidency to BJ Habibie.
He opened his speech by saying that he had officially stepped down as president because he didn’t want any more victims.
“This is history. I decided to withdraw so as not to fall victim again. It’s bad, I used to get promoted because of the support of the students.”
“Now the students have fallen victim. I don’t want any more victims,” he said opening a conversation at Merdeka Palace on May 21, 1998, as reported by Soeharto’s special edition of Time, After he’s goneissue 4-10 February 2008.
Read also: History of National Reform Day May 21, 1998, Suharto resigns as President of the Republic of Indonesia
Long before Suharto stepped down, various series of events had shown signs of the loss of influence of this great General.
This started in July 1997 when the economic crisis hit Indonesia.
At the time, the rupee’s exchange rate continued to decline, triggering large-scale demonstrations across Indonesia.
Students took to the streets, which was forbidden at the time, to speak in favor of the reform.
Subsequently, in February-March 1998, a number of pro-democracy activists were kidnapped for days.
This kidnapping is believed to be a government effort to suppress the activist movement.
The kidnapped activists were Nezar Patria, Andi Arif, Desmon J Mahesa, Pius Lustrilanang, Haryanto Taslam, Herman Hendrawan, Rahardjo Waluto Djati, Faisal Riza and Mugianto.
May 1998 riots
Quoted From Many Source
