Remembering Bung Karno, Remembering Bung Hatta
If they were a car, Soekarno was the gas pedal, while Hatta was the brakes. Soekarno, during the post-Hatta period, was like a car without brakes.
To celebrate the 76th anniversary of our independence on 17 August 2021, allow me as an elderly citizen to share my memories of two great figures, Bung Karno (1900-1970) and Bung Hatta (1902-1981).
Bung Karno and Bung Hatta had a crucial role in framing Indonesia\'s modern history. The high-spirited Bung Karno was one of the greatest orators of the 20th century and Bung Hatta was a calm but immersive type of man. Both of them were shaped by the cruelty of colonialism in this country with their own distinctive personalities.
Try rereading the speech “Indonesia Accuses” delivered by Bung Karno in 1930 and “Indonesia Victorious) by Bung Hatta in 1928 — two defense statements as a strong and courageous show of protest against the colonial system that depleted this nation. One was delivered in Bandung in West Java, the other in The Hague in the Netherlands. By rereading these two historical legacies, we are increasingly aware of how powerful the spirit of the two national figures were at this critical time.
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Look at the quotes below; at how Bung Karno stomped to explain the purpose of his defense.
"And if later we describe everything about our political beliefs, if later we explain all the characteristics of the PNI [Indonesian National Party] and all our visions or ideologies, if later we include \'politics\' at this court building, then it is not to propagate the truth of our belief but only so that you, gentlemen, can know the principles, nature and actions of the PNI, and can assess, understand, can begrijpen [understand] our political vision and because of that, can eventually understand the content and meaning of all our words and actions that you, gentlemen, prosecute in this process.” (Ir Soekarno, Indonesia Menggugat. Yogyakarta: Aditya Media, 2004, p. 11).
Again: “Who still hopes for help from the imperialist system, who still believes in the \'gift\' that will be bestowed upon them, who still obeys the \'mission sacre\' talk, who still turns his face to the West. This is totally blind to the real reality, blind to realiteit [reality].”
It’s great, right? Those are just two quotes. The entire content of the defense plea of about 200 pages was, for me, truly jarring, stifling the guts of colonial judges. Now, consider the way Bung Hatta delivered his defense in The Hague, it still touches my heart.
The conversation between President Soekarno and Vice President Moh. Hatta around the formation of the Cabinet, June 1953. IPPHOS
“If the Dutch, French and English students fully enjoy their exciting youth, then Indonesian youth must prepare themselves for a task that requires other conditions. No path is ready to be paved for them; no job openings had been prepared for them. Instead, they had to build from the ground up amid a difficult situation, amid a battle full of vengeance and hatred. A tough struggle for independence loomed in front of them and made them old and serious for his age.” (Mohammad Hatta, Indonesia Merdeka. Jakarta: Bulan Bintang, 1976, p. 13. Originally in Dutch, translated by Drs Hazil.)
Wasn’t Bung Hatta, at such a young age when delivering his defense, calm and authoritative? At the end of his speech, Bung Hatta reminded the colonialists of the iron law of history.
“Nederland let op uw saeck [Nederland, take care of your interests] is often said by those who pushed the colonial government to continue its heavy-handed politics. From this place, I want to reiterate the same words to them while warning that the interests of the Netherlands will not be helped by unilateralism and the display of power in facing the tide of Indonesian nationalism. In fact, it’s the contrary! Even Dutch colonialism in Indonesia will end; for me it is a certainty. It\'s just a matter of time, sooner or later, not yes or no. The Dutch had to accept this iron law of history, whether it wanted to accept it or not. And the Netherlands, do not impress yourself, as if your colonial rule will stand firmly until the end of time.” (Ibid, p. 147)
Those are four heroic quotes from the two national figures that came from two sources of their defense speeches in the face of the very insulting and painful colonial system.
Uncertainty going forward
Next, let\'s look at the next historical movement in relation to Bung Karno and Bung Hatta — a drama of the relationship between two great humans that once rocked Indonesia. Two human warriors whose love for this country is unquestionable. However, why are we still hesitant to drive this nation forward?
If there is a nation whose future is still difficult to map with certainty, Indonesia may be one of them. In fact, for Bung Karno and Bung Hatta, the pattern of the future was quite clear. Our cultural capital is that the formation of the nation precedes the formation of the state in Indonesia, which started in the first decade of the 20th century and peaked in the third decade of that century. Meanwhile, the Indonesian state as a new political concept emerged through the proclamation of independence on 17 August, 1945.
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> Preserving the Pearls of Independence
> 75 Years of RI, Three Countries Perspective
In theory, the foundation of our nation\'s building should have been solid enough, unless fatal mistakes happened in the post-proclamation period.
Among these mistakes, the implementation of Pancasila in practical life of the nation and state is not fully applied. The commitment to the five tenets, which is only made verbally, is the biggest political sin this nation has ever committed, especially by some of its top leaders, especially since the 1950s. Or is it because the Pancasila ideology was too ahead of its time and so the elites are not ready to implement it?
Based on MPRS Decree No. XIII/1966, President Soekarno assigned Lt. Gen. Suharto as the bearer of MPR Decree No. IX/1966 to form the Ampera Cabinet. Lieutenant General Suharto became Chairman of the Presidium of the cabinet. Bung Karno was announcing the composition of the cabinet on July 25, 1966. Lieutenant General Suharto and Adam Malik sat listening
Had Soekarno-Hatta remained hand in hand for a long time, it could be expected that Indonesia would experience another development that was far better and more dignified than what we witnessed later. Actually, Soekarno formally did not want Hatta to relinquish his position as vice president in December 1956, but that was no longer possible. Hatta has a strong character; if a decision has been made, it is almost impossible for him to change his mind, even though various parties try to persuade him, including his closest friends.
If they were a car, Soekarno was the gas pedal, while Hatta was the brakes. Soekarno, during the post-Hatta period, was like a car without brakes. The car without brakes ended up crashing here and there, sometimes going into full speed. What the two figures did not take into account at that time was that their passenger was a large, newly independent nation, inhabiting a chain of thousands of islands.
The differences in the subcultures of Soekarno and Hatta had caused the two to separate in politics, although their personal relationship remained intact until the end of their lives. The separation of Soekarno-Hatta had a successive impact on the course of Indonesia\'s modern history, as illustrated below.
First, the upheaval in the regions, directly or indirectly, was due to Hatta leaving his position as vice president. Hatta is a symbol of the people from sabrang (outside Java). But all of us who are still alive today cannot turn the clock backwards. Everything is gone. No need to mourn. Bung Karno and Bung Hatta rest in peace. We must remember all that is good, forget and forgive their shortcomings. The difference in character between the two is sharp. However, if they can be managed wisely, they will complement each other.
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Second, thanks to president Soekarno\'s collaboration with the Indonesian Military (TNI), the regional upheaval spearheaded by the embittered Army officers was quelled, leaving serious wounds to the defeated party. Bung Hatta in his capacity as a citizen tried hard to find a peaceful solution between Jakarta and the restive regions. Unfortunately, all these efforts ended in a dead end.
The most turbulent area was West Sumatra, where Bung Hatta came from, because the proclamation of a rival government in the form of the Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PRRI) on 15 February, 1958, was centered there. In just three years, the PRRI was paralyzed.
Towards the celebration of the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia, a portrait mural of the First President of the Republic of Indonesia Soekarno decorated public spaces, as seen in the Cipondoh area, Tangerang, Banten, Friday (6/8/2021). The figure of the Proclaimer, who is familiarly called Bung Karno, became one of the most inspiring figures and was loved by his people.
Third, with the resignation of Bung Hatta as vice president, the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) had more opportunities to play its political card of power by seeking protection under Soekarno\'s umbrella. Bung Hatta was known as a figure who did not believe in the PKI. The Masyumi Party, a formidable opponent of the PKI, was dissolved in December 1960 on the grounds that several of its figures were involved in the PRRI. This dissolution cannot be separated from the role of the PKI, which has long wanted Masyumi to disappear from the national political stage.
Fourth, on 5 July, 1959, president Soekarno issued a decree dissolving the Constituent Assembly and declaring the 1945 Constitution to be reinstated again. In March 1960, the parliament was dissolved. The political situation was very heated. Bung Hatta was against all these events, but he was powerless. With the umbrella of the 1945 Constitution, Soekarno then created a new political system in the form of Guided Democracy (1959-1966).
When Bung Karno was struggling on his deathbed, Bung Hatta visited his friend. Both of them met in silence, Bung Hatta was in tears. He knew the time for a farewell was very close.
This new system turned out to be short-lived, something Bung Hatta had predicted in his article “Our Democracy”, which first appeared in May 1960. With the 1965 G30S/PKI political turmoil, the Guided Democracy system collapsed by itself. The PKI was dissolved on 12 March, 1966, by the new ruler, General Suharto, although Sukarno was officially replaced only in 1968 through a Temporary People’s Consultative Assembly (MPRS) session led by General AH Nasution.
Fifth, after president Soekarno was dismissed, Bung Hatta actually had a chance to replace him as the second president of the Republic of Indonesia. However, the door for that was closed tightly by the new rulers who were not comfortable with the democratic system. And Hatta was a true democrat, in theory and practice.
Rise up Indonesia
This is a brief sketch of the relationship between Bung Karno and Bung Hatta, especially in the post-proclamation era. Both went their separate ways in life and careers. Bung Karno died earlier with no proper treatment by the new rulers. Eleven years later, Bung Hatta followed his friend to his Creator. May Allah forgive all the mistakes and shortcomings of these two phenomenal figures. Amen!
When Bung Karno was struggling on his deathbed, Bung Hatta visited his friend. Both of them met in silence, Bung Hatta was in tears. He knew the time for a farewell was very close.
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Ahmad Syafii Maarif
Finally, while remembering both of them, on the basis of Pancasila, let us agree to continue to say: "Arise my Indonesia!" The spirit of Bung Karno and Bung Hatta will cry up if the generations that come later forget the great ideals that these two leaders initiated, namely the independence of a nation with full sovereignty!
Ahmad Syafii Maarif, Chairman of Muhammadiyah 1998-2005
This article was translated by Kurniawan Siswoko.
