Two Solo Palace Factions Hold 1 Suro Procession Together
Solo city government first facilitated talks so the rival processions could proceed peacefully and avoid clashes.
Two factions claiming the throne of Keraton Surakarta held the 1 Suro procession at the same time and place in Sasana Sewaka, Solo, Central Java, on Tuesday night. The SISKS Paku Buwana XIV Mangkubumi faction and the SISKS PB XIV Purbaya faction both used the main kedhaton area, with thousands of supporters from each side gathered around the site. On the ground, Mangkubumi and his supporters were seen seated facing east, with their backs to the Purbaya faction, which was in Sasana Parasdya. Ahead of the procession, the Solo city government facilitated separate meetings with the two factions at City Hall led by KGPH Panembahan Agung Tedjowulan. As a result, the procession was agreed to proceed side by side. KP Eddy Wirabhumi, executive chairman of Lembaga Dewan Adat, said both sides tried to restrain themselves so the event could go ahead without incident.