Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX drove home after announcing he would not continue on as vice president in the next period due to an illness. He cited an eye condition. This triggered speculations that relations with President Suharto had soured further. The two had been on rocky terms for quite some time. Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX was vice president from March 24, 1973 to March 23, 1978.

Such speculation was denied by then Minister of Transportati