JAKARTA: The Surakarta Kasunanan Sultanate in Central Java has been thrown into a succession dispute following the death of Sultan Pakubuwono XIII on Nov. 2, with two of his sons from different wives each proclaiming themselves the rightful heir.
Pakubuwono XIII had two sons and five daughters from three marriages. His first two marriages ended in divorce before he ascended the throne in 2004.
From his first marriage to Raden Ayu Endang Kusumaningdyah, he had three daughters: Timur Rumbai Kusuma Dewayani, Devi Lelyana Dewi and Dewi Ratih Widyasari. His second marriage to Winari produced two daughters, Sugih Oceania and Putri Purnaningrum, and one son, Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Harya Hangabehi.
His third marriage to Kanjeng Raden Ayu Adipati Pradapaningsih produced one son, Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Harya Purbaya. Twenty-three-year-old Purbaya, who had been formally named crown prince by his late father in 2022, declared his claim to the throne during Pakubuwono XIII’s funeral on Nov. 5.
“By the order and command of Sri Susuhunan Pakubuwono XIII, I, on this day, ascend the throne as the ruler of the Surakarta Hadiningrat Palace with the title Sampeyandalem Ingkang Sinuhun Kanjeng Susuhunan Pakubuwono XIV,” he declared at the time as quoted by Kompas.com.
However, the Mahamenteri (chief minister) of the Surakarta Kasunanan Sultanate, Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Haryo Tedjowulan, the late king’s half-brother, criticised the declaration, arguing that it violated palace tradition.
He said a new king is typically proclaimed at least 40-100 days after the previous ruler’s death to allow for a proper mourning period.
Tedjowulan also claimed that under a 2017 Home Ministry regulation, he was designated to serve as interim leader until a new king was formally crowned. Princess Timur, Pakubuwono XIII’s eldest daughter, defended Purbaya’s declaration, saying it adhered to palace custom and served to prevent a leadership vacuum.
“This has happened before in the era of our ancestors. Taking an oath before our father’s body is a symbol of loyalty, not a breach of tradition,” she said.
Two days before Purbaya’s scheduled coronation, his half-brother Hangabehi, 41, also declared himself king during a royal family meeting on Nov. 13. The meeting included some of Pakubuwono XIII’s children, descendants of Pakubuwono XII, and the chief minister, Tedjowulan.
Pakubuwono XIII’s sister, Koes Murtiyah Wandansari, who is also the head of the Surakarta Sultanate Customary Council, said the family recognised Hangabehi as the rightful successor, citing tradition that the eldest son inherits the throne.
She also denied claims that Purbaya’s mother had been crowned queen. “Prince Hangabehi, did not ask to be born older than Purbaya. The rule is clear: if there is no queen, the eldest son becomes the heir,” she said after the meeting.
Despite challenges to his claim, Purbaya proceeded with his coronation ceremony, or jumenengan, at the Surakarta Kasunanan Palace on Saturday (Nov 15). Accompanied by palace guards, members of the royal family, and abdi dalem (royal servants), he walked to Siti Hinggil Hall, the traditional venue for official royal ceremonies, and took his oath as king.
His oath included a commitment to lead the sultanate in accordance with Islamic law and the traditional regulations of the Surakarta Sultanate, governing justly, faithfully and protecting all his subjects.
He also pledged to support the Republic of Indonesia, serve the nation and preserve the culture, ceremonial traditions and noble heritage of his ancestors, the Mataram kings.
After the jumenengan ceremony, Princess Timur announced that the royal family plans to take “legal action” to contest Hangabehi’s “illegitimate” claim to the throne, though she did not specify the exact nature of the legal measures. CNN Indonesia reported.
She added that she had previously attempted to resolve the succession dispute through family negotiations. Timur reportedly met multiple times with Hangabehi and some of his supporters from the Surakarta royal family, but the discussions failed to produce a resolution.
She also claimed that Hangabehi’s supporters have signaled their own intentions to pursue legal action.
Pakubuwono XIII himself was embroiled in a succession conflict with Tedjowulan following the death of Pakubuwono XII in 2004, which was complicated by the absence of a formally installed queen. From around 2008 to 2012, Pakubowono XIII reportedly could not fully occupy the palace due to ongoing internal tensions.
Eight years after his enthronement, Tedjowulan voluntarily stepped down from his claim to the throne and reconciled with Pakubuwono XIII, who later appointed him as the chief minister of the palace.
After Indonesia gained independence in 1945, Surakarta was initially granted a special status similar to Yogyakarta, allowing self-rule.
While the Yogyakarta Sultanate retains this authority, Surakarta lost its special status in 1950 when it was incorporated into Central Java province following rising anti-monarchist sentiment in 1946. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
