Activist Maria Katarina Sumarsih delivered a public lecture addressing Aksi Kamisan at Taman Ismail Marzuki in Central Jakarta, Indonesia, on Monday, July 27, 2026, according to Tempo. Organised by the Jakarta Academy and supported by the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), the event titled “Memorial Lecture for Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana” also commemorated the efforts of Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana to gain recognition as a national hero. Aksi Kamisan functions as a peaceful movement demanding thorough investigations into human rights violations in Indonesia.
Historical Context and Presidential Responses to Human Rights Violations
During her lecture, Sumarsih stated that government handling of human rights violations has remained inadequate since the beginning of the reformation era. According to Sumarsih, former President Abdurrahman Wahid—widely known as Gus Dur—was the sole leader who showed a genuine commitment to uncovering various human rights violation cases. However, she noted to Tempo, “But he was ousted.” Sumarsih, whose son Bernadinus Realino Norma Irmawan (known as Wawan) was a student at Atma Jaya Jakarta killed in the Semanggi I Tragedy on November 13, 1998, expressed disappointment across multiple presidential administrations.
J. Habibie failed to fulfill promises to investigate the 1998 shooting of students at Semanggi. While Gus Dur instructed the attorney general to follow up on investigations regarding the Trisakti, Semanggi I, and Semanggi II incidents, his presidency was cut short. Sumarsih also characterized former President Megawati Soekarnoputri as disappointing, stating, “Megawati did nothing. In fact, during the 2009 election, she formed a presidential and vice-presidential candidate pair with Prabowo Subianto.” Sumarsih further criticized Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, stating that his presidency from 2004 to 2014 involved unproven promises to resolve cases. Her frustration peaked under Joko Widodo, of whom she stated, “Jokowi is a president whose words cannot be trusted,” recalling that Jokowi repeatedly promised to resolve past human rights violations during his campaigns.
Regarding current political figures, Sumarsih criticized serious human rights violators who established political parties. She noted that Prabowo Subianto founded the Gerindra Party despite being dismissed from the military for his involvement in the 1997-1998 activist abductions. She also lamented that Wiranto continued a political career through the Hanura Party without facing investigation for alleged human rights violations.
Aksi Kamisan Movement Evolution and Resistance
Aksi Kamisan marked its 19th anniversary on January 18, 2026, with a commemoration held in front of Istana Negara on Jalan Veteran in Central Jakarta. According to historical records from the journal article Activism of the Aksi Kamisan Movement in Advocating for the Settlement of Human Rights and Aksi Kamisan Jakarta: New Social Movement 2007-2021, the movement has operated regularly every Thursday since January 18, 2007. It originated as a protest by families of victims from the 1965 Tragedy, Semanggi I, Semanggi II, Trisakti, the May 13-15, 1998 Tragedy, the Talangsari case, the Tanjung Priok case, and the murder of activist Munir. Initiators included Maria Katarina Sumarsih, Suciwati, and Bedjo Untung as part of the Solidarity Network of Victims for Justice (JSKK). Participants established a symbolic framework consisting of Thursday gatherings in front of the Presidential Palace—representing the center of power—dressed in black attire with black umbrellas as the movement’s mascot. Over time, the scope expanded to include victims of land eviction conflicts and authority-led violence against civilians.
Future Outlook and Prospects for Solidarity Movements
Looking ahead, Aksi Kamisan maintains low expectations for current leadership under President Prabowo Subianto. As a form of rejection, the movement ceased writing letters to the president on October 24, 2024, shortly after his inauguration, opting instead to distribute flyers to journalists and participants. Despite lacking hope for official action from the current administration, Sumarsih asserted that solidarity remains vital. “For me, Aksi Kamisan is our way of persisting in the struggle to uncover the truth, seek justice, oppose impunity, reject forgetfulness, and maintain the reform,” she stated.
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