A dispute over control of the historic Surakarta Palace Museum in Indonesia escalated Saturday, leading to staff from the Cultural Heritage Conservation Center being asked to leave the premises [[1]]. The move, carried out by members of the SISKS Pakubuwana XIV Purbaya faction, involved the installation of security cameras and the forceful replacement of locks throughout the complex, highlighting an ongoing power struggle within the Surakarta royal family. The incident occurred as leaders from a rival faction attended meetings with the Ministry of Culture in Jakarta, seeking intervention in the rapidly developing situation.
Staff members of the Cultural Heritage Conservation Center (BPK) Region X were asked to leave the Surakarta Palace Museum on Saturday, December 13, as a dispute over control of the historic site escalated.
The request came as employees were on duty, with members of the SISKS Pakubuwana XIV Purbaya faction seeking to install security cameras and replace locks throughout the palace complex. The move underscores a growing power struggle within the Surakarta royal family.
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Simultaneously, leaders of the Keraton Surakarta’s Adat Council (LDA), who support SISKS Pakubuwana XIV Mangkubumi, were in Jakarta attending a meeting with the Ministry of Culture.
BRM Suryomulyo Saputro, a grandson of SISKS Pakubuwana XIII, witnessed the events unfold. He stated the situation began with the unilateral installation of CCTV cameras by the SISKS Pakubuwana XIV Purbaya group.
“The CCTV installation started in the Smorokoto area, then continued to the museum and the front of the Kasentanan gate,” Suryo said.
Shortly after, GKR Panembahan Timoer Rumbai and GKR Devi Lelyana Dewi, daughters of Pakubuwana XIII, along with approximately a dozen supporters of SISKS Pakubuwana XIV Purbaya, ordered BPK Region X staff to leave the Surakarta Palace Museum.
Once the museum was clear, the SISKS Pakubuwana XIV Purbaya faction proceeded to replace the locks on the palace doors. According to Suryo, the existing locks were cut with a grinder and replaced with new ones.
“They were suddenly told to leave, forced out of the museum, and then all the doors were locked,” he said.
Suryo clarified that the expulsion targeted only BPK Region X employees, while other relatives and palace attendants were permitted to remain inside the complex.
In addition to the museum doors, the SISKS Pakubuwana XIV Purbaya group also replaced the lock on Kori Kamandungan, the main gate leading to the Kedhaton complex.
“From the museum, they moved to this gate (Kori Kamandungan) and used a grinder to replace the lock,” Suryo explained.
He expressed regret over the incident, noting that the Surakarta Palace Museum is currently undergoing renovation and revitalization. Suryo also voiced concern that using a grinder to cut the old locks could potentially damage the palace doors, which are designated as cultural heritage sites.
KPA Singonagoro, a spokesperson for SISKS Pakubuwana XIV Purbaya, confirmed that his faction had replaced the locks on several palace doors.
“There were approximately 10 doors replaced, including Kamandungan, Kasentanan, the Sasono Wilopo office, the library, Sasana Handrawina, and the museum,” Singonagoro stated.
However, he denied any forced expulsion of staff. He maintained that the lock replacements were simply intended to allow the cabinet formed by SISKS Pakubuwana XIV Purbaya to function effectively.
“There was no expulsion. You can see that people are still there,” he said.
(syd/els)
