Guess What? Gemala Hatta

Guess What? Gemala Hatta

Not only was Indonesia's first president Sukarno a womanizer, he was a matchmaker as well. It was Sukarno who found a match for vice president Mohammad Hatta.

"Father married mother because of Bung Karno," Hatta's second daughter Gemala Hatta told reporters Tuesday at a memorial service for Hatta who died on March 14, 1980.

Held at Rahmi Hatta's residence on Jl. Diponegoro, Central Jakarta, the gathering started with a religious ritual. A black and white documentary film produced by Hatta's foster son, Des Alwi, was shown later in the evening.

Hatta was 43 when he married 19-year-old Siti Rahmiati on Nov.18, 1945.

"They didn't have a chance to court," Gemala said.

Asked what made Rahmi marry Hatta, Gemala said, "I think because he was someone she could rely on."

Despite the age difference, Hatta and Rahmi loved each other very much and they remained faithful to one another. Death was the only thing that separated them.

"Father loved only one woman in his life -- Mother," Gemala asserted.

Rahmi gave birth to three daughters: Meutia Hatta, Gemala Hatta and Halida Hatta-Jusuf. (sim)