Queen Hemas

Hemas (born October 31, 1952) is the queen consort of the Kingdom of Yogyakarta.

Early life

Penobatan Sultan Hamengkubuwana X

Queen Hemas, born as Tatiek Dradjad Supriastuti is the third child and sole daughter of seven siblings.^[1] She grew up in Kebayoran Lama, Jakarta Selatan. His Father, Colonel Soepono Digdosastropranoto, was an official in the Indonesia Army who was born in Yogyakarta. Her Mother, Raden Nganten Susamtilah Soepono, was a housewife from Wates, Kulonprogo.^[1] Hemas went to school in Jakarta until she graduated from Highshool and continued to pursue her study in the department of Architecture in Trisakti University. She did not finished her study in the university and get married in 1968^[1][2] Hemas then followed her husband and live in Yogyakarta^[1]

Meeting the Sultan Hamengkubuwono X

Every year Tatiek's family has the family tradition to go to her grandfather's house in Soronatan Yogyakarta. The grandfather was a retired palace official.^[1] In late 1960s, Tatiek met the oldest son of the late reigning Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX, Herjuno Darpito, who, later on, succeeded his father as Sultan Hamengkubuwono X.^[1] At the age of 19 Hemas was married to Herjuno Darpito (6 years older) and left her study in the university.^[1] Her name was changed for the first time as Bandara Raden Ayu Mangkubumi, before finally was changed to Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas when Herjuno Darpito ascend the throne and became Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X.^[1] Her marriage was blessed with five children; Princess Pembayun, Princess Candrakirana, Princess Maduretno, Princess Hayu, dan Princess Bendara.^[2]

Political and Social Activities

• At the beginning, Queen Hemas activitíes in the palace of Yogyakarta were mostly social. She was active in Yayasan Sayap Ibu and the eradication of illiteracy in Yogyakarta.^[1] She became a member of Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat for the period 1997–1999 from Fraksi Utusan Golongan, and served as chief editor for Kartini magazin^[2]
• Queen Hemas has always been very active on promoting women participation on political processes. To further promote women right, in 2004 Queen Hemas run as a senator to represent her province Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta as an independent candidate with no political party. She won the majority of the votes from her region.^[1]
• In November 2008 during an interview with VIVAnews, Queen Hemas explained her political view against the pornography law Undang Undang Pornografi. She mentioned that the bill has been drafted in such a way that would restrict women's right.^[1]
• In 2009 Queen Hemas was reelected again as independent candidate for Senate for the period of 2009–2014 winning 80% votes from all eligible voters.^[3][4]
• In November 2012 Queen Hemas together with Laode Ida, I Wayan Sudirta, and John Pieris representing the Senate, appeal the Constitution Court to run a judicial review on Law number 27-year 2009 and Law number 12 year 2011. These law was considered violating the clauses of the constitution especially clause number 22 D concerning equal rights between the Senate and House of Representative.^[5] In legislation process so far, the Senate was granted the authority to provide inputs but not to sanction the law.^[6] The Senate request the authority to also sanction a law.^[6] According to the constitution, the Senate has the right to propose a bill and it has exercised this right but has never been deliberated in the house.

Titles and Styles

• 1952 - 1971 : Miss Tatiek Drajad Supriastuti
• 1971 - 1989 : Her Royal Highness Princess Mangkubumi
• 1989 - present : Her Majesty The Queen

References