His body is in the present, but the look in his eyes sees the events of 25 years ago: kidnapped, beaten, electrocuted, to threatened with death and thrown on the expressway.
That's when Mugiyanto opened his memory. He and 23 activists (9 returned, 14 still missing) were kidnapped or enforced disappearances ahead of the fall of the New Order regime in 1997-1998.
The man born in 1973 admitted that until now he is still afraid to hear the sound of handie talkie 'cranes' – the voice that was with him when kidnapped by unknown people.
Although there is no official history of who was behind this incident, the accusation of kidnapping was pointed to the Rose Team, a small unit in the Special Forces Command (Kopassus) at that time led by Prabowo Subianto.
When the 1998 kidnapping was mentioned in the inaugural presidential debate on December 12, Prabowo said the issue was a form of politicization. In fact, Prabowo said, many political prisoners he said he kidnapped now support him.
Indeed, among the victims of the '98 kidnapping, there were names who joined the Gerindra cadre such as Desmond Mahesa (late), Haryanto Taslam (late), and Pius Lustrilanang. There is also the name of Andi Arief from the Democrats whose party supports Prabowo.
In addition, Budiman Sudjatmiko who used to be the Chairman of the People's Democratic Party (PRD) who had been imprisoned by the Suharto regime, is now also on Prabowo's side.
However, Mugiyanto was skeptical of Prabowo's defense. Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, he again nursed the memory of past gross human rights violations. The man familiarly called Mugi invited young people to know the events of '98 so that similar incidents would not be repeated in the future.
What is the story of Mugi, who is now the Main Expert of the Presidential Staff Office? Here's the interview.
What was the background to your activism in 1998?
I am a student of UGM class of '92. In 1996, Budiman Sudjatmiko was imprisoned. We are one party in the PRD. I am in the wing of the organization or its underbouw, its name is Solidaritas Mahasiswa Indonesia for Democracy (SMID).
On July 27, 1996, there was a raid on the PDI Office. The event became known as Kudatuli (Twenty-seventh of July Riots). The PRD was accused of being the mastermind of the riots. So that's why all PRD leaders are wanted. Because the PRD leadership does not exist, we appointed SMID leaders as PRD leaders, namely Nezar Patria and Andi Arief.
The organization goes underground. From Yogyakarta, I went to Jakarta at the end of 1997 because I was assigned to do international advocacy to the Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, and Europe to ask for support to free political prisoners and overthrow Suharto.
How the political constellation ahead of you being kidnapped?
There were 1997 elections [and the Golkar Party won again after 31 years in power]. The economic crisis had already begun at that time, so demonstrations occurred everywhere and almost every day.
We (PRD) organized the people, distributed leaflets, raised questions, and made demands. At that time we demanded: reject the dual functions of ABRI, repeal the Political Law, increase wages, and support the East Timor referendum. This is what makes us so hated—the number one enemy of the New Order.
How do you describe the kidnapping?
On March 12, we declared the KNPD (National Committee of Struggle for Democracy) at YLBHI (Yayasan Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Indonesia). I wasn't there, but on that date activists Raharja Waluya Jati, Faisol Riza, and Herman Hendrawan were kidnapped.
March 13, the next day, it happened to me, Aan Rusdiyanto, and Nezar. We live in a flat in Klender, East Jakarta. After Friday, I met two East Timor International Support Center activists from Australia in Menteng. At about 17.00 WIB I went home, given three boxes of Hoka Hoka Bento. I called home, telling me I didn't need to find food because I brought HokBen. Nezar answered, saying, "Okay, wait."
At 19.00 WIB I arrived at Klender, in our rental, 2nd floor. I was knocking at no one. After I searched around, it turned out that I had a key, I finally opened it. I went to the kitchen, there was still [wedang] oranges still hot. I waited three-four minutes, no one came. I called using a pager, but there was no response after about four minutes of waiting.
Mugi was then taken to Koramil Duren Sawit. He and a man named Djaka were interrogated. Djaka asked to be released because he claimed to have an acquaintance with the ABRI leadership. Both were then transferred to the East Jakarta Regional Command. Having stopped at the building, he was then taken again by car with his eyes closed. There Mugi parted ways with Djaka who had said, "We are safe". But the next incident turned out to be sad for Mugi.
Where are you taken and what?
The journey feels far and stuck. They had argued about the route. Then the car stopped, I got off. Two-three steps there was the sound of water and strong wind. My shadow, I'm in the fields, wants to be killed here.
[I was interrogated], 'Who do you live with?'
"Alone, sir."
"You lie! We know you live with anyone."
I was beaten, beaten, ruined in the face. Fall, stood up again.
I was asked for a name. Man has a limit to receiving torture. Yes I have, I mentioned a name. After it was beaten. I was told to take off my shirt and pants. (..)