Yogyakarta Monarchy Status Reaffirmed Under A Law

Pirhot Nababan

On 3 September 2012, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono signed the Bill on Yogyakarta Special Status, just three days after the House of Representatives passed it as a bill. It is now officially registered as Law No. 13 of 2012 on Yogyakarta Special Status (Keistimewaan Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta - “Law”).

Even before the Law was passed, the draft bill caused controversy, especially with Yogyakartans and academics. During the nine-year drafting process, the controversy revolved around the election mechanism for Governor and Deputy Governor of Yogyakarta. Yogyakartans have always considered their region to have a special status as a kesultanan - similar to a kingdom - meaning that Sultan Hamengku Buwomo and Adipati Paku Alam would automatically lead Yogyakartans as Governor and Deputy Governor, respectively.