Government Seizes Treasure Worth Rp 15 Trillion, Leaving Its Discoverer in Poverty
The discovery of treasure is often seen as a blessing that can change a person’s life. However, Mat Sam experienced a different fate when the government took over the treasure he found.
A resident of Kampung Cempaka in South Kalimantan, he discovered a giant diamond along with four friends on 26 August 1965.
Mat Sam said the diamond was of very good quality, clean, and emitted a reddish-blue colour.
Shortly afterwards, it was discovered that the diamond he found was larger than initially estimated. Its size was 166.75 carats, making it the largest diamond in history.
“Its price is estimated at no less than tens of billions of rupiah, because the diamond is only slightly smaller than the ‘Koh-i-Noor’ (red, Indian diamond) that adorns the British Royal Crown,” wrote the Pikiran Rakyat daily (31 August 1965).
Nevertheless, Mat Sam could not own the treasure. The giant diamond was taken by the government at the time, namely the Pantjatunggal Regency of Banjar.
The local government then brought it to Jakarta to be given to President Soekarno.
The Angkatan Bersenjata newspaper (11 September 1967) reported that the process went against the wishes of the discoverer.
According to him, the diamond found was very clean and reddish-blue in colour. The find caused a stir.
Shortly afterwards, it was discovered that the diamond he found was larger than initially estimated. Its size was 166.75 carats, making it the largest diamond in history.
“Its price is estimated at no less than tens of billions of rupiah, because the diamond is only slightly smaller than the ‘Koh-i-Noor’ (red, Indian diamond) that adorns the British Royal Crown,” wrote the Pikiran Rakyat daily (31 August 1965).
Nevertheless, Mat Sam could not own the treasure. The giant diamond was taken by the government at the time, namely the Pantjatunggal Regency of Banjar.
The local government then brought it to Jakarta to be given to President Soekarno.
The Angkatan Bersenjata newspaper (11 September 1967) reported that the process went against the wishes of the discoverer.
Unfulfilled Promise of Hajj
In Pikiran Rakyat (13 August 1965), the jumbo diamond was said to be used to develop South Kalimantan and purchase mining technology to increase diamond production.
President Soekarno also promised rewards to the finders, including Mat Sam, in the form of a free Hajj pilgrimage.
Unfortunately, the promised reward never arrived. Two years later, they voiced the matter and pleaded for justice so that the government could fulfil its promise.
Kompas on 11 September 1967 stated that the lives of the finders were also very impoverished. Considering the diamond’s price reached Rp 3.5 billion, this was very unfair.
If converted to the present day based on the gold price, the 166.75-carat diamond amounts to Rp 15.22 trillion.
Mat Sam’s aspirations were conveyed through legal representatives and forwarded to the Ampera Cabinet Presidium, General Soeharto.
However, it is unknown whether Mat Sam received justice, as there are no subsequent historical records regarding this matter.