Not speech writer

Not speech writer

In the article New Islamic parties attempt to cater for all
tastes by Hery Nurdi (May 21, 1999), I was said to be a "speech
writer for Soeharto" in the early years of his presidency.

I would like to stress that I have never been a speech writer
for Soeharto. From 1966 to 1968 I was indeed a member of a team
of experts in politics attached to the private staff of the
presidium-chairman/acting president Soeharto. Members of the team
of experts included a few lecturers/professors from the
University of Indonesia. Our task was to give suggestions to the
acting president through the coordinator of the private staff,
the late Gen. Alamsjah Perwiranegara. However, most of our
suggestions were not accepted by the acting president.

From 1968 on I have had no contact whatsoever with the power
holders. In 1974 I was banned from teaching in state as well as
private universities all over Indonesia.

DELIAR NOER

Jakarta