Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – The National Commission on Human Rights of Indonesia (Komnas HAM) has officially formed an ad hoc team to investigate allegations of serious human rights violations in the riot that occurred on July 27, 1996, known as Kudatuli.
"The ad hoc team has prepared an investigation plan," said Komnas HAM Chairperson Anis Hidayah in a written statement on Sunday, August 30, 2026.
The ad hoc team is established based on Article 18 of Law Number 26 of 2000 concerning Human Rights Courts. Komnas HAM can gather information by summoning relevant witnesses. With the investigator's orders, they can also examine relevant documents, conduct searches, and confiscate evidence.
Currently, according to Anis, Komnas HAM has notified the Attorney General's Office that the investigation process has begun. This procedure is included in the mandate of the Human Rights Court Law.
The Kudatuli incident refers to the riot that took place at the Central Office of the Indonesian Democratic Party's (PDI) Central Leadership Council in Central Jakarta on July 27, 1996. The attempt to take over the PDI building resulted in casualties and injuries. The riot also caused property damage due to the burning of shops.
Kudatuli stems from the schism within the PDI. The Chairperson of PDI elected from the Medan Congress, Soerjadi, raided and took control of the PDI Central Executive Board Office at Jalan Diponegoro 58, Central Jakarta, which was occupied by the Chairperson of PDI elected from the Surabaya Congress, Megawati Soekarnoputri.
On July 27, 1996, the conflict escalated when the pro-Soerjadi PDI forcibly took over the PDI office. Bloody clashes erupted and spread, resulting in riots in parts of Jakarta.
Komnas HAM recorded 5 deaths, 149 injuries, 23 missing persons, and 124 detainees. 22 buildings were burnt down, and 91 motor vehicles were destroyed. The material losses were estimated at around Rp100 billion.
The PDI Perjuangan welcomed the initiative of Komnas HAM to form an ad hoc team for the Kudatuli incident. "For us, this is not about seeking revenge or delving into the past, but to enable the nation to learn and move forward without the burden of historical debt," said the Chairperson of the Central Leadership Council of PDI Perjuangan, Deddy Sitorus, on Sunday, August 30, 2026.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2118573/komnas-ham-forms-ad-hoc-team-to-investigate-july-27-1996-inciden