Myesha Fatina Rachman, Jakarta - May 12, 1998, is a day that will never be forgotten in the history of Indonesia leading up to the reform. On that day, the Trisakti Tragedy occurred, a bloody event that claimed the lives of four students from Trisakti University in Jakarta and became the trigger for a major wave of change in the country.

The wave of student demonstrations in various parts of Indonesia in May 1998 was a response to the monetary crisis that had hit the economy since the beginning of the year. Students from Trisakti University, like their counterparts in other universities, moved to demand the resignation of President Soeharto after his 32-year rule.

On May 12, 1998, thousands of Trisakti students carried out a planned peaceful action towards the Nusantara Building (DPR/MPR). However, their journey was halted by a barricade of security forces from the Police and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI AD). Despite negotiations between student representatives and the security forces, the situation escalated. The authorities began firing tear gas and rubber bullets at the demonstrators.

Pressured by the repressive actions of the authorities, the students were forced to retreat into the Trisakti University campus. However, the violence did not stop there. Security forces continued firing, even entering the campus area. Tragically, live ammunition claimed the lives of four students who were striving to voice their aspirations for change.

Four Trisakti Students Fall

The four Trisakti University students who fell victim in the Tragedy of May 12, 1998, are commemorated as heroes of the reform movement.

1. Elang Mulia Lesmana

Born in Jakarta on July 5, 1978, Elang was a student of the Faculty of Architecture class of 1995. The second son of Hira Tetty and Bagus Yoganandita was known as an active figure in campus activities. During the demonstration, a bullet pierced his heart and back as he sought refuge inside the campus. Elang fell at the age of under 20 years and was buried at TPU Tanah Kusir, South Jakarta.

2. Heri Hertanto

He was born in Surabaya on February 5, 1977, and was a student of the Faculty of Industrial Engineering class of 1995. The eldest son of Sjahrir Mulyo Utomo and Lasmiyati was also active in student movements. While seeking shelter in the Syarief Thayeb Building, a live bullet pierced his back and nestled in his chest. Heri was also buried at TPU Tanah Kusir, South Jakarta.

3. Hafidin Royan

Born in Bandung on September 28, 1976, Hafidin studied Civil Engineering in the class of 1995. Known by his friend, Alvin Yunata, as an active nature lover, religious, and having a good personality. During the incident, Hafidin was reported to be helping his friends affected by tear gas before being shot in the right temple, piercing the back of his head. He was buried in Bandung.

4. Hendriawan Sie

Born in Balikpapan on March 3, 1978, Hendriawan was a student of the Faculty of Economics class of 1996. The son of Hendrik Sie and Karsiyah became a victim of shooting while trying to leave the post towards the campus area to seek shelter. His body was found lying by the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Law at that time. Hendriawan was buried in Rawa Kopi, Kembangan, West Jakarta.

National unrest began to escalate on May 13, 1998, a day after the Trisakti Tragedy. Protests turned into mass riots in various regions. In Jakarta, dozens of shopping centers were burned, hundreds of vehicles destroyed, and thousands of stores looted.

Data shows that more than 1,000 people died, mostly trapped in burning buildings. Infrastructure was destroyed, and fear enveloped the community. The capital was paralyzed, and the government lost control. The wave of demonstrations and chaos finally forced Soeharto to step down on May 21, 1998. These riots were not just an explosion of public anger over the economic and political crisis, but also a historical moment marking the end of the New Order era and the birth of the Reform era.

– Putri Safira Pitaloka, Muhammad Rafi Azhari, and Ni Made Sukmasari also contributed to the writing of this article.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2006540/27-years-of-reformation-refusing-to-forget-the-trisakti-traged