Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, must-have-known name when you visit Yogyakarta

Since at school, in Indonesian kids social studies books, we’ve always referred to Yogyakarta as Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (Special Region of Yogyakarta) instead of calling it a province like other areas.

Besides being famous for its batik and food, Yogyakarta also has a long history of its unique system of government, which is based on a monarchy. So, why is the monarchy system allowed to exist in the middle of a democratic country like Indonesia? Here’s the explanation.

Yogyakarta is the only region in Indonesia that still has a monarchy or royal system. Before Indonesia’s independence, two areas maintained a monarchy system: the Sultanate of Yogyakarta and the Duchy of Paku Alaman.

After independence, the status of these two regions was a topic of lengthy discussions—whether Yogyakarta should be granted full autonomy like before or be placed on the same level as other regions with a democratic system.

Sultan Hamengkubuwono, Government System

The system of government led by the sultan is a cultural heritage for the people of Yogyakarta. Because of this, Yogyakarta’s monarchy system created some challenges. The people of Yogyakarta didn’t want to abandon their culture and traditions.

Understanding the people’s stance, Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX issued a royal decree called the Amanat 5 September 1945. The decree contained five key points about integrating Yogyakarta’s monarchy system into the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). Similarly, Sri Paduka Paku Alaman VIII issued a similar statement, which included:

• Yogyakarta City with its regent, KRT Hardjodiningrat
• Sleman Regency with its regent, KRT Pringgodiningrat
• Bantul Regency with its regent, KRT Joyodiningrat
• Gunung Kidul Regency with its regent, KRT Suryodiningrat
• Kulon Progo Regency with its regent, KRT Secodiningrat

The Paku Alaman Duchy’s territories included:

• Paku Alaman City with its regent, KRT Brotodiningrat
• Adikarto Regency with its regent, KRT Suryaningprang

These five points of Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX were a show of support from the Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Kingdom for the NKRI. The decree was issued at a time when some regions in Indonesia were considering separating after the proclamation of independence. The decree stated:

” Bahwa Negeri Ngajogjakarta Hadiningrat jang bersifat keradjaan adalah daerah istimewa dari Negara Republik Indonesia.Bahwa kami sebagai Kepala Daerah memegang segala kekuasaan dalam Negeri Ngajogjakarta Hadiningrat, dan oleh karena itu berhubung dengan keadaan pada dewasa ini segala urusan pemerintahan dalam Negeri “

which if we can translate,

“That the State of Ngajogjakarta Hadiningrat, which has a royal character, is a special region of the Republic of Indonesia. That we, as the Regional Head, hold all power within the State of Ngajogjakarta Hadiningrat, and therefore, in connection with the current situation, all government affairs within the State”

A similar statement was made by Paku Alaman regarding the status of government and regional authority.

Read More: The Story of Mbah Maridjan The Legendary Caretaker of Merapi Volcano

Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X Profile and Background

Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X was born in Yogyakarta on March 2, 1946. His birth name was Bandoro Raden Mas (BRM) Herdjuno Darpito. He was the eldest son of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX and his second wife, RA Siti Kustina.

As he came of age, he was given the title Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Haryo (KGPH) Mangkubumi. Later, after being appointed crown prince, he received the title KGPAA Hamengku Negara Sudibyo Raja Putra Nalendra Mataram.

After being crowned king of the Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat on March 7, 1989, he took the name Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, succeeding his father, Sri Sultan HB IX, who passed away in the United States in 1988.

Throughout his career, Sultan HB X held various positions, including serving as the CEO of PT Punokawan, President Commissioner of PG Madukismo, Chairman of the Governor of DIY’s Expert Team in 1996, and a member of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) of Indonesia.

He was also active in several organizations, holding leadership roles such as Chairman of Kadinda DIY Yogyakarta, Chairman of DPD Golkar DIY Yogyakarta, and Chairman of KONI DIY Yogyakarta.

The peak of his career came when he served as the Governor of Yogyakarta, starting in 2008. He held this position for multiple terms: 1998-2003, 2003-2008, and 2008-2012. In the following term, from 2012 to 2017, he was reappointed as Governor of Yogyakarta.

He married Tatiek Drajad Suprihastuti (BRA Mangkubumi/GKR Hemas), the daughter of Colonel Raden Subanadigda Sastrapranata, in 1968.

He has the following siblings:

• GBPH Joyokusumo
• GBPH Hadiwinoto
• GBPH Prabukusuma
• GBPH Yudhaningrat

He has five daughters:

1. GRA Nurmalita Sari (GKR Pembayun/GKR Mangkubumi)
   (married to KPH Wironegoro)
2. GRA Nurmagupita (GKR Condrokirono)
   (married and divorced from [KRT] Suryokusumo)
3. GRA Nurkamnari Dewi (GKR Maduretno)
   (married to KPH Purbodiningrat)
4. GRA Nurabra Juwita (GKR Hayu)
   (married to KPH Notonegoro)
5. GRA Nurastuti Wijareni (GKR Bendoro)
   (married to KPH Yudanegara)

The eldest son of Sultan Hamengkubuwana IX from his second wife:
RA Siti Kustina (BRA Widyaningrum/KRA Widyaningrum/RAy Adipati Anum)

Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, The Sultan of Yogyakarta

When he came of age, BRM Herjuno Darpito was named crown prince by his father and given the title Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Harya (K.G.P.H.) Mangkubumi.

This marked his official appointment as the heir to the throne of the Yogyakarta Sultanate after his father. Following his appointment as crown prince, KGPH Mangkubumi was given the title Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Adipati Arya (K.G.P.A.A.) Hamengku Negara Sudibyo Rajaputra Nalendra ing Mataram.

Hamengkubuwana X was officially crowned Sultan and King of the Yogyakarta Sultanate on March 7, 1989, at the Yogyakarta Palace (in the Javanese calendar: Selasa Wage, 19 Rajab 1921).

His official title was Ngarsa Dalem Sampeyan Dalem Ingkang Sinuwun Kangjeng Sultan Hamengku Buwana Senapati-ing-Ngalaga Abdurrahman Sayidin Panatagama Khalifatullah ingkang Jumeneng Kaping Sadasa ing Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat. Around 2,000 guests and hundreds of palace attendants participated in the ceremony.

A public announcement board was put up in Yogyakarta to welcome the new king. This coronation marked the first time in Indonesian history that a Sultan of Yogyakarta was crowned under the Republic of Indonesia, as previous rulers had to get approval from the Dutch East Indies government before their coronations.

After the first Sabda Raja was issued at the Siti Hinggil of the Yogyakarta Palace on April 30, 2015, the Sultan’s title was changed to Ngarsa Dalem Sampeyan Dalem Ingkang Sinuwun Sri Sultan Hamengku Bawono ingkang Jumeneng Kasepuluh Suryaning Mataram Senopati-ing-Ngalaga Langgeng ing Bawana, Langgeng, Langgeng ing Tata Panatagama.

This change sparked controversy among noble families and the people of Yogyakarta, leading to the “Polemik Sabda Raja Yogyakarta 2015.”

Read More: Philosophy of the Meaning of the Yogyakarta Palace Logo

Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X Before His Crowned, on 1989

Born as Bendara Raden Mas (BRM) Herjuno Darpito on April 2, 1946, in Yogyakarta, and spending his life in the city he loved, Sri Sultan Hamengku Bawono X grew up with a deep connection to both the city and its people.

After he came of age, his father appointed him as Pangeran Lurah, the most senior prince in the Yogyakarta Sultanate. As a young man, he was known as Mas Jun, and later received the title Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Harya (KGPH) Mangkubumi.

Before becoming the Sultan of Yogyakarta, KGPH Mangkubumi was already involved in many government affairs. He often assisted his father, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX, who was also serving as Vice President of Indonesia at the time. In addition, KGPH Mangkubumi was active in various community and social activities.

He held several important roles, such as Chairperson of Kadinda DIY, Head of DPD Golkar DIY, Chairman of KONI DIY, and President Commissioner of PG Madukismo.

On October 2, 1988, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX passed away. KGPH Mangkubumi was seen as the most suitable candidate to become the next Sultan. This succession was a new chapter in the history of the Yogyakarta Sultanate, as in the past, every Sultan had to get approval from the Dutch before being crowned.

Just before his coronation, KGPH Mangkubumi was given the title Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Arya Adipati Hamengku Negara Sudibyo Raja Putra Nalendra Mataram, meaning crown prince.

He was officially crowned as Sultan of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat on March 7, 1989, or Tuesday Wage, the 29th of Rajab 1921 in the Javanese calendar.

Interesting Facts

Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X is the leader of the Yogyakarta Sultanate and is well-known for playing a key role in Javanese traditions and culture.

Behind his dignified persona, there are some interesting stories and unique facts that give us a deeper understanding of the person who leads the Keraton Yogyakarta.

Here are some fun facts that highlight the life and leadership of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, one of the important figures in Indonesia’s history and society.

1. Listed Among the Richest People in Indonesia

Sultan Hamengkubuwono X is one of the people on the list of the 150 richest individuals in Indonesia, with a fortune of around 3.6 trillion IDR.

His income comes from two main sources: his role as governor and as the leader of the Yogyakarta Sultanate.

The Sultan, whose real name is Raden Mas Herjuno Darpito, owns a wide range of assets, totaling in the dozens. This includes 15 motorcycles and five cars, which together are worth over 1 billion IDR.

Additionally, he earns income from various businesses, including a sugar factory, a cigarette rolling factory, a bank, hotels, iron sand mines, and more.

2. Has Really Long Title

When he was crowned as the Sultan of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat on March 7, 1989, he received an extended official title:

Sampeyan Dalem Ingkang Sinuwun Kanjeng Sultan Hamengku Buwono Senopati Ing Ngalogo Ngabdurrahman Sayyidin Panotogomo Khalifatullah Ingkang Jumeneng Kaping Sedoso Ing Ngayogakarta Hadiningrat.

3. King and Governor of Yogyakarta

Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X became the Governor of DIY in 1998, taking over from Paku Alam VIII who passed away. At the time, he led Yogyakarta without a deputy governor.

Background Story

After Paku Alam VIII passed away and after some debates, Sultan Hamengkubuwono X was appointed as the Governor of Yogyakarta in 1998, serving from 1998 to 2003. During this time, he served without a Deputy Governor.

In 2003, after some controversy, he was reappointed for another term as Governor from 2003 to 2008, this time with a Deputy Governor, Paku Alam IX.

As the Governor of Yogyakarta, he wasn’t focused on awards or recognition. He believed that the progress of a city needed to be guided by love and conscience.

4. Married with 5 Daughters

Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X has five daughters from his marriage to GKR Hemas.

His daughters are all given the title Gusti Kanjeng Ratu and are named GKR Pembayun, GKR Candrakirana, GKR Maduretno, GKR Hayu, and GKR Bendara. Each of them also holds important roles within the Yogyakarta Sultanate.

5. Has His Own Cigarette Brand

An interesting fact about Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, the leader of the Yogyakarta Sultanate, is that he has his own cigarette brand. He is known to be a cigarette enthusiast and even owns a tobacco company with a brand called Kraton Dalem, which has always been his favorite.

This cigarette brand, launched in 2003, partnered with PT Sampoerna Tbk as a consultant and business partner.

His Sucessor

Sultan Hamengkubuwono X faced a challenge regarding his successor because he didn’t have a male heir. This issue came up during discussions about the draft regional regulation on filling the positions of Governor and Deputy Governor. In response, Sultan Hamengkubuwono X unexpectedly issued his first Sabdatama on March 6, 2015.

According to Law No. 13 of 2012 on the Special Privileges of Yogyakarta, Article 18, paragraph (1), letter m, it states that one of the requirements to become the Governor of Yogyakarta is to submit a life history, which includes details like education, work, siblings, wife, and children. This was interpreted as only allowing men to be considered as the next Sultan.

Sabdaraja dan Dhawuhraja

In the end, Hamengkubuwono X decided to issue the Sabdaraja on April 30, 2015, followed by the Dhawuhraja on May 5, 2015.

The Sabdaraja led to a decision to change his title to Hamengkubawana, while the Dhawuhraja appointed GKR Pembayun as GKR Mangkubumi Hamemayu Hayuning Bawana Langgeng ing Mataram.

However, on July 3, 2015, the Sultan retracted the Sabdaraja and withdrew his request to change his title at the Yogyakarta District Court, so his title was restored to its original form.