Totok Santoso, founder and 'king' of Keraton Agung Sejagat in Java. Photo: Twitter
Totok Santoso, founder and 'king' of Keraton Agung Sejagat in Java. Photo: Twitter
Johannes Nugroho
Opinion

Opinion

Johannes Nugroho

Indonesia’s fake ‘royal courts’ aren’t just created by crackpots but reflect society’s longing for a messiah

  • The country’s pretender kingdoms have made grand claims of power and wealth, and tap into a belief that a ‘Just King’ will deliver prosperity
  • Authorities have so far taken punitive action against those making claims without examining if their followers have underlying mental health issues

Totok Santoso, founder and 'king' of Keraton Agung Sejagat in Java. Photo: Twitter
Totok Santoso, founder and 'king' of Keraton Agung Sejagat in Java. Photo: Twitter
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