On leaders and literature

On leaders and literature

The article under the eye-catching headline Leaders don't read
Literature (The Jakarta Post, July 20) by Agus Maryono, the
paper's contributor, is, in my view, superb in that it exposes a
thesis, and not a mere opinion, of noted novelist Achmad Thohari
of Banyumas regency. The Post should pay special attention to
this novelist for the reason that his novel Orang-orang proyek
(The project actors) is expected to be published soon. He became
famous in 1981 for his widely acclaimed novel Ronggeng Dukuh
Paruk (Ronggeng dancer from Paruk village), which succeeded in
its record of producing translations in five languages, including
German, Dutch and Japanese.

But what is most stunning in that related story concerns the
thesis, which can be appraised for its originality. It has never
been heard of before from any person in his class, as that which
was addressed to a special caste of elite, who are nowadays
called politicians.

Achmad Thohari should be ready to assume accountability for
his daring thesis that "national leaders do not read literature".
His views assume prominent significance in terms of philosophical
depth and psychological dimensions, as they illustrate his theory
that "literature generates spiritual refinement and enhances
sympathy toward fellow humans".

According to the novelist, the lack of this aspect of national
traits is fundamentally responsible for the lack of compassion
and sensitivity among national leaders, and this in turn has
given rise to the nationwide political turmoil.

Such a proposition is not easy to offer without a critical and
introspective state of mind. Of course, any reader is free to
form his or her own judgment to assess the truth and quality of
the novelist's theory respecting the worth of (good) literature
for the public good.

But the intrinsic value of this thesis must prevail despite
the irony that its realization may need perhaps a span of two
generations to accomplish, as far as the national consciousness
regarding the worth of good literature for the public good is
concerned. The reason is obvious in that the ideal is intertwined
in the process of educational development, which after all is
recognized as being currently in bad shape.

S. SUHAEDI, Jakarta