My Son's Memory: Indonesia's Past, Present and Future | Maria Catarina Sumarsih | TEDxJakarta

Summary

Maria Catarina Sumarsih recounts the tragic story of her son, Bernardinus Realino Norma Irmawan, known as Wawan, a student at Jakarta's Catholic University who was shot during the 1998 student protests in Indonesia. The incident occurred amidst a national crisis and calls for President Soeharto's resignation. Wawan, an advocate for reform and democracy, was part of a volunteer team assisting injured demonstrators. Despite the danger, he was fatally shot while trying to help a friend. Maria's journey to seek justice for her son and other victims continues, highlighting the struggle for accountability and human rights in the face of state violence.

Takeaways

• 😀 Maria Catarina Sumarsih introduces herself and her son Bernardinus Realino Norma Irmawan, known as Wawan, who was a student at the Catholic University of Atma Jaya Jakarta, majoring in Accounting.
• 🏛️ Wawan's studies were cut short after the fifth semester due to the events of November 13, 1998, when he got involved in student demonstrations against the government during a period of political and monetary crisis in Indonesia.
• 📢 Wawan was an advocate for reform and democracy, organizing seminars and discussions, and as a member of a humanitarian volunteer team, he supported demonstrators and the families of victims of the May 13-15, 1998, tragedy.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Despite his activism, Wawan maintained a close relationship with his family, sharing stories about his experiences and campus life.
• 🚔 On the fateful day, Wawan was shot while trying to help an injured friend during a demonstration, using a white flag as a sign of assistance.
• 🏥 Maria Catarina, upon hearing the news, faced immense difficulties reaching the Jakarta Hospital due to roadblocks and security forces, highlighting the chaos and tension of the time.
• 🕊️ Wawan passed away from a gunshot wound to the chest, which hit his heart and lungs, as confirmed by the autopsy report.
• 📜 Maria Catarina, along with other parents of victims, formed the Paguyuban Korban, a group seeking truth and justice for the events of 1998, including the Semanggi tragedies.
• 📨 The group has engaged in various forms of advocacy, including peaceful protests, letters to authorities, and meetings with presidents, but has yet to see the desired outcomes.
• 📰 The script mentions legal battles, including a successful lawsuit against the Attorney General, and the issuance of Presidential Regulation No. 17 of 2022, which acknowledges past human rights violations and the need for non-judicial resolution.
• 🌟 Maria Catarina ends with a message of hope for future generations, urging them to uphold the rule of law and ensure accountability for past tragedies, so that such events are not repeated.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the transcript?

The speaker in the transcript is Maria Catarina Sumarsih, the mother of Bernardinus Realino Norma Irmawan, also known as Wawan.

What was Wawan's educational background?

Wawan was studying at the Faculty of Economics and Accounting at Atma Jaya Catholic University of Jakarta but had to stop after the fifth semester.

Why did Wawan's studies stop after the fifth semester?

Wawan's studies stopped because he was involved in a tragic incident on November 13, 1998, during the incident.