Tumbu Saraswati Activist and Democracy Woman Passes Away

Activist and democracy woman, Tumbu Saraswati, died in Jakarta. His struggle is a role model for all.

DOKUMENTASI PRIBADI ANDY YENTRIYANI

The book The Law on the Elimination of Domestic Violence by Tumbu Saraswati.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Former commissioner of the National Commission on Anti-Violence against Women or Komnas Perempuan for the 2010-2014 period, Tumbu Saraswati, has died aged 76 years on Thursday (25/4/2024). Tumbu died in the Intensive Care Unit at Fatmawati Hospital, South Jakarta, at 09.30 WIB.

The body of Tumbu, who was also a politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), was laid to rest at the At Taufiq Mosque, located at the PDI-P Central Leadership Council's Party School in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta. After the funeral prayer, the body was immediately buried at the Tanah Kusir Public Cemetery in South Jakarta.

Chairperson of the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan), Andy Yentriyani, remembers the late Tumbu as an extraordinary female legal champion. Her dedication has left an unforgettable mark in the world of justice. Her spirit and dedication to justice and the protection of women's rights will continue to be remembered by women in Indonesia.

Tumbu is known for her significant contribution to legal reform with a gender justice perspective. This includes from the Law on the Eradication of Domestic Violence to the Law on Population Administration during her tenure as a member of parliament from 1999-2004.

Tumbu is known for its track record of important contributions to legal change with a gender justice perspective.

"Bu Tumbu, the late, was an inspirational figure, teacher, and friend in the struggle for advancing women's and marginalized groups' rights. Her legal background led her to cases of violence against women, an experience that strengthened her to continue building breakthroughs," said Andy in Jakarta, Thursday (April 25, 2025).

Tumbu, according to Andy, is associated with stories of underprivileged people. This makes him sensitive to the layered discrimination issues faced by women in their diverse identities. This sensitivity is one of the bases for his inputs in policy formulations, including in the process of discussing the law on Sexual Violence Crimes.

As a commissioner of the National Commission on Violence Against Women, Tumbu paved the way for practical testing of the integrated criminal justice system for handling violence against women (SPPT-PKKTP), especially at the provincial level. From lobbying to negotiating the agreement with law enforcement agencies, particularly the Supreme Court, as the embodiment of SPPT-PKKTP at the central level.

SONYA HELLEN SINOMBOR

Chairman of the National Commission on Violence Against Women Andy Yentriyanti

DPR member of PDI-P faction, Ribka Tjiptaning Proletariyati, testified that Tumbu was very active in fighting for gender equality. Starting from defending women who were victims of the 1998 riot, establishing the Indonesian Democracy Women's Organization, to advocating for the birth of the Domestic Workers Protection Act (UU PPRT).

"'I, Ning, am still not satisfied if iku (RUU PPRT) hasn't been born,' he said," said Rebekah imitating Tumbu's message to herself .

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Meanwhile, PDI-P DPP Chairman Djarot Saiful Hidayat also recognized Tumbu as a true pro-democracy activist, one of which was by establishing the Indonesian Democracy Defense Team (TPDI ). In party activities, this woman who was born in Yogyakarta, April 21 1948, was very active against the Soeharto regime.

One party event that Tumbu never misses is the commemoration of the Kudatuli incident on July 27, 1996. At the TPDI-organized commemoration event held in South Jakarta on Thursday (11/8/2022), according to Tumbu, in that meeting, without a guarantee of reward, they immediately declared their support for Megawati, who is now the Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

TPDI is tirelessly fighting for recognition of Megawati and TPDI leaders, RO Tambunan, as fighters for reform in this country, and demanding justice for the victims of July 27, especially those who were tried and sentenced.

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Even during his long illness before his last breath, Djarot revealed that Tumbu remained active in party activities, even if he had to use a wheelchair. This included participating in and providing input on the dynamics of the 2024 Presidential Election.

"He is a role model for us, the cadres of PDI Perjuangan, who always adhere to the constitution and ideology in the process of regeneration," said Djarot.

The late Tumbu left behind a husband, Abud Wahid Orcar, and eight children.