Taufik Kiemas title causes raised eyebrows

Kasparman Piliang, The Jakarta Post, Padang, West Sumatra

Despite controversy, President Megawati Soekarnoputri's husband Taufik Kiemas will soon be bestowed with a customary title by leaders of a clan in West Sumatra province.

Leaders of the Sikumbang clan at Kenagarian (village) Sabu in Batipuh subdistrict, Tanah Datar regency, is scheduled to confer the title of Datuk Basa Batuah on Taufik during an official ceremony on Dec. 21.

"It is not an honorary title nor is it a token of appreciation for his service (to our clan). It's only a customary title," said Zainal Hafizd Datuk Kayo, the top customary leader of Sabu village.

Based on the Minangkabau customary rules, a person who receives the title of datuk (clan leader) has the right and responsibility to look after the children of his or her nieces and nephews.

He or she is responsible for resolving any family disputes arising within his or her clan. Even if the decision handed down by the datuk is considered too harsh, it must be obeyed.

A datuk must comprehend his own culture and traditions, and be honest.

It is a much respected title that has strong roots in Minangkabau society's structure, and follows clear ancestral lines. In Minangkabau tradition, it means that the title's recipient has what is called Basosok bajarami, bapandam bapakuburan (clear and distinct ancestry and origin).

The bestowal ceremony for Taufik will be held at the Ustano Basa Rajo Pagaruyuang (the Grand Palace of the Pagaruyung Raja) in Pagaruyuang, Batu Sangkar subdistrict, Tanah Datar.

"The bestowal of the title of datuk on Taufik Kiemas is because we want to select one who has long been left behind, and to restore what he deserves by right," Zainal said last Thursday in Padang, the North Sumatra capital.

He said the title was last used by the late Muhammad Daud, who was reported to be Taufik's uncle. Due to the Batipuh War in 1850, the founders of the Sikumbang clan were separated and one of them, Siti Saadah, fled to Padang. She was a sister of Siti Aminah, the mother of Muhammad Daud Datuk Batauah.

After the war, the two sisters grew apart and in 1905 Muhammad Daud died.

Based on Minangkabau tradition, if the datuk passes away, a replacement must be found from within his own clan.

"Here's the problem. At that time, there was no male successor from the Sikumbang clan, so they did not replace him and so the title is still unclaimed to date," said the Minangkabau Land Traditions Organization (LKAAM) head, Kamardi Rais Datuk Panjang Simulie.

However, local people questioned whether Taufik is the right man for the title as he was born in Palembang, South Sumatra province.

According to Zainal Hafizd, the ancestral line of the Sikumbang clan was cut after the death of Siti Saadah and it could not be traced back.

However, Taufik once claimed he originally came from Padang.

"Pak Taufik later sought to find his own roots and it turned out that he is a fourth generation descendant of Siti Saadah," Zainal added.

He quoted Taufik as saying Siti Saadah had a daughter named Siti Hasnah who gave birth to Asiyah. The latter then had a child named Hamzatun Rusda.

Hamzatun later married a man from Palembang named Cik Agus Kiemas who later had 11 children, including Taufik, Zainal added.

"So, it's clear that we have not picked the wrong person because, according to Minangkabau tradition and the use of the matrilineal system to trace descent, Taufik is clearly a man of Minangkabau descent," he said.

But an investigative team assigned by West Sumatra Governor Zainal Bakar to trace Taufik's descendants discovered another version.

It revealed that the Siti Saadah who lived at Belakang Tangsi, Padang, came from Saning subdistrict in Solok regency. Her clan was not the Sikumbang clan but rather the Koto clan.