23-Year Fight for Justice

Her eldest son, Bernardus Realino Norma Irmawan, aka Wawan, was shot dead by security personnel in the incident known as the Semanggi I Tragedy on 13 November 1998.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Maria Katarina Sumarsih

When visited, Maria Katarina Sumarsih, 69, showed no hurt feelings for the loss of her eldest son who was shot in the Semanggi I incident, 13 November 1998. She looked resolute and strong; her spirit to fight for justice aflame.

“The passing of Wawan changed my life. However, my recollection of the struggle of Wawan and his peers, the six agendas of reform, including the supremacy of law, makes me realize the need to continue fighting, overcoming exhaustion,” said Sumarsih in her house on Wednesday (5/5/2021).