'Learn from Bung Hatta': Scholars

'Learn from Bung Hatta': Scholars

Debbie A. Lubis
The Jakarta Post
Jakarta

National leaders should learn more from Indonesian history and
the founding fathers in an attempt to bring the country into a
just, prosperous, and peaceful condition, scholars and observers
said on Tuesday.

Margarita, a Papuan community leader, said people were waiting
for leaders who still had a conscience to develop the country
instead of fighting each other for power.

"It's ironic. We just watch them fighting. We need figures
like our beloved founding fathers who could unite us all,"
Margarita said in a seminar to commemorate the centennial of
Mohammad Hatta, one of the country's founding fathers. The
seminar was aimed at examining Hatta's good traits for the
betterment of the country.

Historian Anhar Gonggong said Hatta had always maintained good
manners in politics.

"Hatta never stabbed his friends in the back by criticizing
them harshly. He always tried to share his opinion in a good
manner," Anhar said.

He said Hatta never asked for special treatment in return to
his services to the country.

"He never asked for more facilities ... He did not ask for a
washing machine, a refrigerator, or an air-conditioned house in
order for him to do his best for the country," he said.

Anhar said freedom had just made people greedy as they cared
more for status than achievement.

"Hatta would be crying if he saw the country's current
condition. He was a real patriot," he said.

Meanwhile, sociologist Astrid S. Susanto said Hatta had never
sought power.

"I've become a vice president, I should put the interests of
the people above any party," Astrid quoted Hatta's saying in his
book in response to a request to join a certain political party.

She said that Hatta realized at that time that it would not be
possible to separate power and vested interests.

Halida Hatta, a daughter of Hatta, described her father as
person who was polite, honest, thrifty and valued the truth.

"He even dared to sacrifice his position. He resigned from the
vice presidency when I was only 11 months old," she said.

Halida said the country's leaders should value friendship and
harmony just like her father did.

"Let's manage this country by listening to our conscience,
opening our heart, our logic and following Hatta's good traits,"
she said.