REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Four children of former Indonesian Ministers looked back at the Indonesian reform movement that took place 20 years ago. They were Puan Maharani, daughter of Indonesia's former President Megawati Soekarnoputri, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, son of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Ilham Habibie, son of B J Habibie and Yenny Wahid, daughter of Abdurrahman Wahid, who was also known as Gus Dur.
"We had the privilege to capture the image of our parents as ones who have led the country and made contributions and held important roles in initiating the reformation," said Agus Yudhoyono during the event 'Commemorating 20 Years of Reformation' in Jakarta, Monday.
Aside from sharing a common fact as children of former leaders, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) stated that they are also making positive contribution for the people and the nation in their own respective fields.
He believed that the reform, which had changed the course of the nation entirely, served as a reminder to be looked back at for the next generation to come, as it came with a greatly valuable lesson.
He revealed that in 1998, during the reformation, Yudhoyono was still in the second level in the military academy and saw what was happening in the capital city through the broadcast in the television.
"We were holding out breaths as we witness what was happening. There were a fundamental change that had also transformed the military force, that was known as the ABRI and is now called the TNI. The force had given up its social-political function," he said.
A rather unique story also came from Puan Maharani, who is daughter to Indonesia's only female president Megawati Soekarnoputri. She revealed that at the time of the reformation era, she was about to get married, and that she faces numerous obstacles in the way of being lawfully united with her significant other.
In a light, jokingly manner, she revealed that at the time, she protested for personal matters to be separated from political issues. "But we are not here put blame on others and look back at the grieves from 20 years ago," she said.
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