Indonesia's Richest King Distributes Rp20 Billion to the Poor
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Power that derives from leadership must possess high empathy for a leader to be willing to sacrifice for the welfare of the people. Indonesia once had a leader who possessed strong empathy for his people.
That quality of leadership belonged to Sultan Hamengkubuwana IX. He willingly distributed Rp20 billion quite freely after seeing poverty spreading in 1947.
The Richest Indonesian King at that time distributed money to the people for four months because he saw still many people trapped in poverty and misery.
During that period, the Dutch sought to re-occupy Indonesia, or the period of the Military Aggression. This struggle caused many people to suffer. They became poorer and many even lost their homes.
Civil servants also fared similarly. Since the Dutch arrival, they practically could not work and received no salaries, so families at home could not eat. In such a state, the people faced two choices: remain loyal to Indonesia despite suffering or defect to the Netherlands and live comfortably.
This situation moved the Sri Sultan to provide assistance. Moreover, he had previously urged everyone to give aid in difficult times.
As a result, the Sri Sultan rushed to open the royal treasury and distribute it to those in need. Dutch guilders were distributed to people outside the kraton and were helped by his private secretary and other officials.
In an interview with the author of Takhta untuk Rakyat: Celah-Celah Kehidupan Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX (1982), he admitted not knowing how much money was distributed.
“Ah gak mungkin ingat. Ngambilnya saja sambil begini (sambil menirukan gerakan orang yang mengambil barang dengan dua telapak tangan, seperti menyendok pasir dengan tangan),” he said.
The Sultan distributed money not only to individuals, but also to institutions. The Army and the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) received grants from the Sultan’s private funds, all used to drive out the Dutch soldiers.
Although the Java king did not know the exact amount, Vice President Mohammad Hatta remembered the figure, namely around 5 million guilders. The amount of 5 million guilders is roughly Rp20 billion in today’s money. When Sri Sultan distributed money, Hatta asked whether the state should compensate the Sultan’s entire wealth.
However, Sri Sultan did not answer and demonstrated an attitude of selfless service to others. It is recorded that he spread money daily to the people of Yogyakarta and the officials of the Sultanate for 3–4 months.
“Perhaps 3–4 months. At the end of the Dutch occupation of Yogya, the goal was twofold. To prevent the people from supporting the Dutch and to help those in need, including our leaders’ families,” said the Sultan.
For the ruler of Yogyakarta, the 5 million guilders was only a small portion of his wealth. History records that he became one of the wealthiest people in Indonesia, acquiring wealth from inheritance and the feudal system of the monarchy. Previously, he had donated 6.5 million guilders to the government as the initial capital for the formation of Indonesia. The 6.5 million guilders is equivalent to Rp32 billion in today’s money.
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