'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.