Bagus Pribadi and Daniel A. Fajri, Jakarta – Maria Catarina Sumarsih, the family of the victim of past human rights violations and the pioneer of the Kamisan Rally, called on President Joko Widodo or Jokowi to revoke Presidential Decree No. 13/TNI/2024 issued on February 21, 2024, and granted Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto the honorary title of Indonesian Military or TNI General.

"The Presidential Decree granting Prabowo the title of honorary general must be revoked if Jokowi is truly a reformist and upholds human values," Sumarsih said after staging the 806th human rights protest or Kamisan in front of the State Palace in Central Jakarta on Thursday, Feb. 29.

Sumarsih expressed her bewilderment at Jokowi's claim to be someone born of reform, but betrayed reform by building a political dynasty with Prabowo.

"A human rights criminal is paired with his eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming, who manipulates laws and regulations while not being old enough to be a vice presidential candidate," said the mother of Wawan, the victim of the 1998 Semanggi I incident.

Sumarsih noted that while the honorary title cleared Prabowo's good name, it served Jokowi's political interests. "This is a betrayal of the reform and democracy fighters that students and the people are fighting for."

Sumarsih further argued that Jokowi had openly distorted the facts, given that in January 2023, he admitted to 12 cases of serious human rights violations, including the 98 tragedies such as the abduction and enforced disappearance of pro-democracy activists.

On February 28, Jokowi awarded Prabowo a special four-star title at the Indonesian National Army HQ in Cilangkap, East Jakarta. He denied that the honorary general title was a political transaction. Jokowi said that similar titles had been given to many figures.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1839610/sumarsih-urges-jokowi-to-revoke-decree-on-prabowos-honorary-titl