Tan Malaka, Forgotten Founding Father
4.5/5
()
About this ebook
He was too unbending a person to compromise. Wanted by the Dutch, British, American and Japanese secret police, he was hunted down across 11 countries because of his dream: Indonesian independence.
He is Tan Malaka, the first man to conceive the idea of a Republic of Indonesia. Muhammad Yamin named him the real “Father of the Republic of Indonesia.” Sukarno called him “an expert at waging a revolution.” But his was a tragic life, which ended by the guns of an army of the republic he helped create.
HE was a man who set Indonesian revolution in motion: Ibrahim Datuk Tan Malaka, simply known as Tan Malaka. Today, two or three generations of Indonesians might have forgotten this man, who was rich in political ideas and good at organizing.
The New Order tried to erase his name and his role in Indonesian history. But in the eyes of young Indonesians Tan possesses an irresistible attraction. When Suharto was in power delving into Tan’s political thinking was tantamount to reading Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s novels. Books that he wrote were distributed through a clandestine network, his ideas discussed in whispers. Although he clashed with the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), Tan was frequently associated with the PKI, the mortal enemy of the New Order.
Sukarno also treated him in a similar way. For two years he was imprisoned by Sukarno, through the Sjahrir government, without any charges. His conflict with the PKI leadership led to his ouster from the circle of power. When PKI was close to those in power, Sukarno chose Muso, who vowed to hang him for challenging the leadership, over Tan. Dipa Negara Aidit beat the bush trying to find a political testament said to have been written by Sukarno and given to Tan, which transferred leadership of the nation to four people named in the document, including Tan, in the event of Sukarno’s and Hatta’s death or capture by the enemy.
Ironically, Sukarno later burnt the testament which read: “In the event of my death, leadership of the revolution is to be transferred to Tan Malaka, an expert at waging a revolution.”
Politics eventually erased Tan from memory. In Bukittinggi, his birthplace, his name is known vaguely to most of the people there. When Harry Albert Poeze, a Dutch historian researching Tan for the past 36 years, visited Senior High School No. 2 in Bukittinggi last February, teachers there were surprised to learn that Tan studied from 1908-1913 at what was then known as Kweekschool, a teacher training institution. They knew about it only from their students, who browsed the Internet for information. The teachers were not entirely sure until a search of the records carried out after the arrival of Poeze, found in the school cupboard, an inscription bearing the name of one Engku Nawawi Sutan Makmur as a teacher at the time Tan was a student at the school.
Related to Tan Malaka, Forgotten Founding Father
Titles in the series (12)
Sudirman, The Soldier from Banyumas Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Ernest Douwes Dekker, A Nation Inspired Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Tan Malaka, Forgotten Founding Father Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Sarwo Edhie Revisited, 1965 PKI Nemesis Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Tjokroaminoto, Freedom’s Leading Light Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSutan Sjahrir, Little Brother’s Lasting Legacy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNjoto and The G30S Tragedy Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Suharto, Farewell to the King Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Musso and the Madiun Movement Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Kartosoewirjo, An Impossible Dream Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSjam Kamaruzaman, A Ghost in the G30S Machine Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Natsir, Rebel Without A Pause Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5
Related ebooks
Sutan Sjahrir, Little Brother’s Lasting Legacy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTjokroaminoto, Freedom’s Leading Light Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Chinese in Indonesia: An English Translation of Hoakiau di Indonesia Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Kartosoewirjo, An Impossible Dream Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTwilight in Jakarta Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Ernest Douwes Dekker, A Nation Inspired Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Musso and the Madiun Movement Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Sudirman, The Soldier from Banyumas Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5China, Class Collaboration, and the Killing Fields of Indonesia in 1965 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Indonesian Army from Revolusi to Reformasi Volume 1: The Struggle for Independence and the Sukarno Era Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNatsir, Rebel Without A Pause Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Suharto, Farewell to the King Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sukarno: A Biography Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Killing Season: A History of the Indonesian Massacres, 1965-66 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Rubbing Shoulders with Two Presidents: The Gentler Sides of Soekarno and Suharto Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Indonesian Army from Revolusi to Reformasi: Volume 2: Soeharto and the New Order Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIndonesia: Archipelago of Fear Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Njoto and The G30S Tragedy Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Man Tiger: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5BitterSweet: The Memoir of a Chinese Indonesian Family in the Twentieth Century Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Makings of Indonesian Islam: Orientalism and the Narration of a Sufi Past Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Road: Uprising in West Papua Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIsland of Java Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Letters of a Javanese Princess Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Sjam Kamaruzaman, A Ghost in the G30S Machine Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5From Jail to Jail Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSarwo Edhie Revisited, 1965 PKI Nemesis Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Indonesian Army from Revolusi to Reformasi: Volume 3: Soeharto's Fall and the Reformasi Era Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Indonesian Stories for Language Learners: Traditional Stories in Indonesian and English (Online Audio Included) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Historical Biographies For You
The Devil's Chessboard: Allen Dulles, the CIA, and the Rise of America's Secret Government Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer: An Edgar Award Winner Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Diary of Anne Frank (The Definitive Edition) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Moveable Feast Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mein Kampf Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Indifferent Stars Above: The Harrowing Saga of the Donner Party Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Black Like Me: The Definitive Griffin Estate Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Coreyography: A Memoir Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Devil and Harper Lee Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Twelve Years a Slave (Illustrated) (Two Pence books) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Gulag Archipelago: The Authorized Abridgement Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Leonardo da Vinci Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Shakespeare: The World as Stage Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Profiles in Courage: Deluxe Modern Classic Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Doctors From Hell: The Horrific Account of Nazi Experiments on Humans Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Benjamin Franklin: An American Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5King Leopold's Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Frida Kahlo: An Illustrated Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Seven Pillars of Wisdom (Rediscovered Books): A Triumph Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Art of Community: Seven Principles for Belonging Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Tan Malaka, Forgotten Founding Father
6 ratings1 review
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5muatan buku yang dalam dan penuh dengan wawasan pencerahan !
Book preview
Tan Malaka, Forgotten Founding Father - Yos Rizal Suriaji et al.
TAN MALAKA, FORGOTTEN FOUNDING FATHER
By Yos Rizal Suriaji [et.al]
Published by Tempo Publishing at Smashwords
Copyrights Tempo 2013
ISBN: 9781301282807
Illustration on Cover: Kendra Paramita
INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL EDITION TEAM OF TEMPO, AUGUST 18, 2008:
Project Leader: Yos Rizal Suriaji Project Heads: Yandhrie Arvian, Philipus Parera, Kurie Suditomo Editors: Idrus F. Shahab, Hermien Y. Kleden, Leila S. Chudori, Arief Zulkifli, M. Taufiqurrohman,Yos Rizal Suriaji, Amarzan Loebis, Bina Bektiati, Budi Setyarso, L.R. Baskoro, Mardiyah Chamim, Putu Setia, Toriq Hadad, Yosep Suprayogi Writers: Yandhrie Arvian, Philipus Parera, KurieSuditomo, Yos Rizal Suriaji, Bagja Hidayat, Yandi M. Rofi yandi, Sunudyantoro, Sapto Pradityo, Adek Media Roza, Untung Widyanto, Anne L. Handayani, Muhammad Nafi , Yudono Yanuar,Asmayani Kusrini, Yosep Suprayogi, Budi Riza, Nunuy Nurhayati Reporters: Asmayani Kusrini (Holland), Aris Andrianto (Purwokerto), Febrianti (Padang), Dwijo Maksum (Kediri), Kukuh S.Wibowo (Surabaya), Rina Widiastuti, Bunga Manggiasih, Yugha Erlangga (Jakarta) Language Editors: Dewi Kartika Teguh W., Sapto Nugroho, Uu Suhardi Photos: Mazmur A. Sembiring, Bismo Agung, Nurharyanto, Novi Kartika Reference Reseach: Hendriyanto, Endang Ishak, Indria Sari S. Visual Design: Gilang Rahadian, Kendra H. Paramita, Kiagus Auliansyah, Danendro Adi, FitraMoerat R., Hendy Prakasa Layout: Agus Darmawan Setiadi, Aji Yuliarto, Tri W. Widodo.
***
Table of Content
The Expert Revolutionary
The End at Wilis Mountain
The Lonely Traveler From Bayah
Disputed Heir to the Obor Revolution
Wide-Eyed Wonder at the Societeit
Guerrillas of a Feather
The Kindhearted Clerk
The Manuscript from Rawajati
An Expelled Communist
The Hammer & Sickle, the Crescent & Star and Tan
The Coolie Children’s Piper
Meeting Old Bolsheviks
Support for the Pan-Islamic Movement
A Guerrilla in Sun Man’s Land
The Republic’s Original Thinker
No Le Toques, Java!
My Blood in a Book
The Tiger from Suliki Valley
The Rogue from Pandan Gadang
From Haarlem with a Call for Revolution
Your Friend Always, Ibrahim
The Minang Muskateers
From Beyond the Grave
Tan’s Books and his Last Sojourn
Mystery of the Psycho Major
Sidelines: Tan Malaka, from that August on
The Expert Revolutionary
He was too unbending a person to compromise. Wanted by the Dutch, British, American and Japanese secret police, he was hunted down across 11 countries because of his dream: Indonesian independence.
He is Tan Malaka, the first man to conceive the idea of a Republic of Indonesia. Muhammad Yamin named him the real Father of the Republic of Indonesia.
Sukarno called him an expert at waging a revolution.
But his was a tragic life, which ended by the guns of an army of the republic he helped create.
HE was a man who set Indonesian revolution in motion: Ibrahim Datuk Tan Malaka, simply known as Tan Malaka. Today, two or three generations of Indonesians might have forgotten this man, who was rich in political ideas and good at organizing.
The New Order tried to erase his name and his role in Indonesian history. But in the eyes of young Indonesians Tan possesses an irresistible attraction. When Suharto was in power delving into Tan’s political thinking was tantamount to reading Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s novels. Books that he wrote were distributed through a clandestine network, his ideas discussed in whispers. Although he clashed with the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), Tan was frequently associated with the PKI, the mortal enemy of the New Order.
Sukarno also treated him in a similar way. For two years he was imprisoned by Sukarno, through the Sjahrir government, without any charges. His conflict with the PKI leadership led to his ouster from the circle of power. When PKI was close to those in power, Sukarno chose Muso, who vowed to hang him for challenging the leadership, over Tan. Dipa Negara Aidit beat the bush trying to find a political testament said to have been written by Sukarno and given to Tan, which transferred leadership of the nation to four people named in the document, including Tan, in the event of Sukarno’s and Hatta’s death or capture by the enemy.
Ironically, Sukarno later burnt the testament which read: In the event of my death, leadership of the revolution is to be transferred to Tan Malaka, an expert at waging a revolution.
Politics eventually erased Tan from memory. In Bukittinggi, his birthplace, his name is known vaguely to most of the people there. When Harry Albert Poeze, a Dutch historian researching Tan for the past 36 years, visited Senior High School No. 2 in Bukittinggi last February, teachers there were surprised to learn that Tan studied from 1908-1913 at what was then known as Kweekschool, a teacher training institution. They knew about it only from their students, who browsed the Internet for information. The teachers were not entirely sure until a search of the records carried out after the arrival of Poeze, found in the school cupboard, an inscription bearing the name of one Engku Nawawi Sutan Makmur as a teacher at the time Tan was a student at the school.
In his life Tan went through many turning points in history: World War I, the Bolshevik Revolution and World War II. Tan, who was born in Pandan Gadang, Suliki, West Sumatra, on June 2, 1897 was the first person who conceived in writing the idea of a Republic of Indonesia. He wrote Naarde Republiek Indonesia (Toward the Republic of Indonesia) in 1925, long before Mohammad Hatta penned Indonesia Vrije (Independent Indonesia), a plea he read before a Dutch court in The Hague in 1928and Sukarno did Menuju Indonesia Merdeka (Toward an Independent Indonesia) in 1933.
Naarde Republiek and Massa Actie, the latter written by Tan in 1926, then in exile in The Netherlands, inspired leaders of the Indonesian independence movement. Sayuti Melik, leader of a radical youth group, for instance, recalled how Sukarno and Anwari brought copies of Massa Actie with scribbles on important passages to a debating club in Bandung. One of the charges against Sukarno when he was tried in the Bandung district court in 1931 was illegal possession of the book. In his plea titled Indonesia Menggugat (Indonesia Accuses) Sukarno quoted copiously from Massa Actie.
W.R. Supratman, composer of the national anthem, Indonesia Raya, inserted the words "Indonesia tanah tumpah darahku" in the Indonesian national anthem taken partly from the final pages of Massa Actie under the chapter Khayal Seorang Revolusioner (The Dream of a Revolutionary). Tan wrote: "In the forefront of the army of the people you should stand, aware of your duty and obligations as a son of tumpah darahnya, of a country where you shed your blood."
Tan was the man who could mobilize people to a mass rally at the Ikada Square in Jakarta on September 19, 1945 in a show of support for the newly proclaimed Republic of Indonesia, at the time existing more on a piece of paper
than a reality on the ground. Tan described the rally as a test of strength separating friend from foe.
Tan’s presence or absence at the Ikada rally makes an interesting story. For years Poeze had sought to crack the mystery. Tan’s comrades in arms Sayuti Melik, one-time Foreign Minister Ahmad Subardjo, and former Vice President Adam Malik had all vouched for Tan’s presence. But their testimonies must be confirmed by visual evidence. Little photographic documents were available, although there was a short film produced by Berita Film Indonesia of the rally. But locating Tan amid an estimated 200,000 people attending the rally wasn’t an easy matter.
Poeze took a roundabout way. He collected images of Tan’s special traits in documents kept in police records in eight of 11 countries Tan went to while on the run. Poeze found that Tan, for instance, always wore a pith helmet since he escaped capture in the Philippines where he went into hiding from 1925 to 1927, living on only two sets of clothing. Since his involvement in a labor action in Bayah, Banten, in the 1940s, Tan always dressed in knee-length shorts. He also always placed himself looking out a window each time he visited a house to guard against the sudden appearance of Dutch, Japanese, British, or American secret police out to capture him. Tan, who carried 23 false names, was on the run over two continents covering a total distance of 89,000 kilometers—twice the length covered by Che Guevara in Latin America.
Another clue was to determine Tan’s height. How tall was the man? In his book Dari Penjara ke Penjara II (From Prison to Prison II) Tan wrote that British Police who detained him in Hong Kong took a picture of him before shaving off his hair. Suddenly three men held my hands tightly as they forced my thumbs down for fingerprinting.
Poeze went to Hong Kong to see Tan’s files with the police in the British crown colony. Eureka! The files Poeze looked at put Tan’s height at 165 centimeters, shorter than Sukarno’s 172 centimeters. A picture taken at the Ikada rally of a man walking besides Sukarno fit the description