History's demise<\/p>\n
The passing of Andi M. Jusuf earlier this week marked not only
\nthe death of a loyal soldier, but also the demise of our history.<\/p>\n
Soft-spoken and popular among his men, Jusuf rose through the
\nranks to serve as military commander between 1978 and 1983,
\nending his public service as chairman of the Supreme Audit
\nAgency. He also served in a number of other senior positions,
\nincluding minister of basic industries under president Sukarno.<\/p>\n
At a time when Johnny-come-latelys dominate our political
\nlandscape, massaging their own egos with self-honoring, yet
\nshallow biographies, we are hard pressed to find one of Jusuf,
\nwho was witness to one of the nation's most pivotal moments.<\/p>\n
Jusuf shunned the limelight, choosing instead to \"fade away\"
\ndespite the clamor for his testimony. Sadly, despite his
\naccomplishments and service to the nation, it is what Jusuf did
\nnot say or do that the Indonesian people will judge him by.<\/p>\n
Jusuf's death in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Wednesday ended
\nany realistic hopes of learning what really transpired in Bogor
\nPalace on the fateful evening of March 11, 1966.<\/p>\n
The events that unfolded on that night were a precursor to the
\neffective transfer of power from Sukarno to Soeharto.<\/p>\n
According to the official version of events, Soeharto sent a
\ndelegation comprising Jusuf, minister of veteran affairs Maj.
\nGen. Basuki Rachmat and Jakarta Military commander Brig. Gen.
\nAmir Machmud to meet with Sukarno.<\/p>\n
O.G. Roeder, in his biography of Soeharto, wrote that they
\nwere sent to convey the \"necessity to create an atmosphere of
\ncalm and stability\", which could only be achieved \"by the
\ntransfer ... of presidential powers to Gen. Soeharto\".<\/p>\n
To this day there is still speculation about the prodding
\nneeded to get Sukarno to sign the March 11 Order, or Supersemar,
\ntransferring power to Soeharto.<\/p>\n
In the more open climate of reformasi, other witnesses have
\ngiven a somewhat different account of events. This includes
\ntestimony from palace guards who claim one of the three generals
\nmay have threatened Sukarno, who was already in the twilight of
\nhis leadership, into signing the document.<\/p>\n
Throughout the years, however, Jusuf has maintained his
\nsilence. No remarks, no books, no interviews, just silence.<\/p>\n
One can read many meanings into his refusal to speak. What is
\nclear is that to this day, even the whereabouts of the momentous
\nSupersemar document remain unknown.<\/p>\n
Maybe the events were as officially portrayed, so Jusuf did
\nnot feel the need to comment further. Or perhaps his silence was
\nmotivated by the need to cloak this point in our history.<\/p>\n
Supersemar is one of those rare occurrences where we see a
\nconfluence of history and politics. Where the political
\nfoundation of the present day is defined by a singular historical
\nmoment.<\/p>\n
It is not a case of opening old wounds, but rather a question
\nof calibrating the foundations of our belief system.
\nAccomplishments springing from a well of deceit only perpetuate
\nlies and future disillusionment.<\/p>\n
This nation will never be great if it cannot come to terms
\nwith its own history. It is this recognition that has prompted
\nplans to form a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to heal the
\nnation's untended wounds.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the primary actors of Supersemar have now
\npassed away. We are left with Soeharto who, despite sending the
\nthree generals to Bogor, may not know the details of what
\ntranspired there.<\/p>\n
Now all we can do is hope that what happened in the past stays
\nin the past, never to be repeated.<\/p>\n
\"Judge of nations, spare us yet. Lest we forget -- lest we
\nforget!\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/historys-demise-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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