'Learn from Bung Hatta': Scholars<\/p>\n
Debbie A. Lubis
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
National leaders should learn more from Indonesian history and
\nthe founding fathers in an attempt to bring the country into a
\njust, prosperous, and peaceful condition, scholars and observers
\nsaid on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Margarita, a Papuan community leader, said people were waiting
\nfor leaders who still had a conscience to develop the country
\ninstead of fighting each other for power.<\/p>\n
\"It's ironic. We just watch them fighting. We need figures
\nlike our beloved founding fathers who could unite us all,\"
\nMargarita said in a seminar to commemorate the centennial of
\nMohammad Hatta, one of the country's founding fathers. The
\nseminar was aimed at examining Hatta's good traits for the
\nbetterment of the country.<\/p>\n
Historian Anhar Gonggong said Hatta had always maintained good
\nmanners in politics.<\/p>\n
\"Hatta never stabbed his friends in the back by criticizing
\nthem harshly. He always tried to share his opinion in a good
\nmanner,\" Anhar said.<\/p>\n
He said Hatta never asked for special treatment in return to
\nhis services to the country.<\/p>\n
\"He never asked for more facilities ... He did not ask for a
\nwashing machine, a refrigerator, or an air-conditioned house in
\norder for him to do his best for the country,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Anhar said freedom had just made people greedy as they cared
\nmore for status than achievement.<\/p>\n
\"Hatta would be crying if he saw the country's current
\ncondition. He was a real patriot,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, sociologist Astrid S. Susanto said Hatta had never
\nsought power.<\/p>\n
\"I've become a vice president, I should put the interests of
\nthe people above any party,\" Astrid quoted Hatta's saying in his
\nbook in response to a request to join a certain political party.<\/p>\n
She said that Hatta realized at that time that it would not be
\npossible to separate power and vested interests.<\/p>\n
Halida Hatta, a daughter of Hatta, described her father as
\nperson who was polite, honest, thrifty and valued the truth.<\/p>\n
\"He even dared to sacrifice his position. He resigned from the
\nvice presidency when I was only 11 months old,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Halida said the country's leaders should value friendship and
\nharmony just like her father did.<\/p>\n
\"Let's manage this country by listening to our conscience,
\nopening our heart, our logic and following Hatta's good traits,\"
\nshe said.<\/p>",
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