REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri shed tears when talking about her promise to her father, Soekarno, during the change from Old Order to Soeharto's New Order in Indonesia. Megawati conveyed the story in front of 100 PDIP cadres during a dialogue entitled "Megawati tells a story" here on Monday.

The dialogue was also attended by Secretary General of PDIP Hasto Kristiyanto and others. One of the participants, Camelia, asked about Megawati's dreams.

Megawati replied that she had many dreams, some of which had already been realized, while many had still not materialized. She highlighted the Dutch colonization in Indonesia for 350 years.

"I ask historians to give explanations about the Dutch colonization. From this background, there are people who try to encourage the nation's division," she stated.

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She stated that people often forgot the struggle of national heroes.

"When I visited the graveyard with my children and grandchildren, I asked my children and grandchildren to spread flowers on tomb of the unknown hero. Then, they asked me, why? I said the unknown heroes had sacrificed themselves for Indonesian independence. Whoever he is, you have to give honor," Megawati explained.

During the New Order regime, she noted that the regime had made some efforts to erase the memory of Soekarno's services. Megawati asserted that Soekarno was a freedom fighter who was able to unite the entire archipelago with its diverse communities into one in the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

"When Soekarno was overthrown by the New Order regime, I told my father, one day, you will come back again," Megawati revealed with tears in her eyes.

"It is just a little more," Megawati added, pressing her thumb and index finger.

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