The ups and downs of the lives of the Soedarpo family

Reminiscences of the Past II Written by Mien Soedarpo Edited by Siti Nuraini Barnett Translated into Indonesian by H. Rosihan Anwar Published jointly by Sejati Foundation and PT Gramedia Widiasarana Indonesia, l997. English Version, 143 pages Indonesian Version, 149 pages

JAKARTA (JP): The second volume of Reminiscences of the Past by Ibu Mien Soedarpo is a delight to read for those with an interest in history and purely from a personal reason. Having been one of the enthralled readers of the first volume, I eagerly awaited the second volume.

I was not disappointed. Whereas the first volume was an endearing tribute to her mother and a personal history set mostly in the colonial Dutch period, the second volume brings us through crucial periods in Indonesia's history -- from independence, through the ups and downs of the Sukarno years and into the new order period.

Readers also benefit from Ibu Mien's careful documentation of and photographs that she has collected over the years.

This is more than a book about a family who led an interesting life. In recounting her story, Ibu Mien has provided us with a personalized glimpse of a very important part of Indonesia's post independence history.

This book is written with humor, candor, tenderness and yields insights into important moments as well as significant actors in the establishment of the republic.

I find the early period of the book of greatest interest. In being able to share Ibu Mien's experiences one is easily transported back to the atmosphere of the uncertain times and tribulations of a young republic.

The 1948/1949 period is for me, the most fascinating. This was when Pak Darpo and a group headed by Pak Soemitro Djojohadikoesoemo, negotiated for international recognition of the new Indonesian Republic at the United Nations.

Through Ibu Mien's story, one really feels for the young people -- don't forget they were in their late 20s and early 30s then -- in establishing Indonesia on the map.

In her words, they were "urgently trying to open the eyes of the world to the significance and the cause of the newly proclaimed republic".

One cannot help but draw parallels between struggles of the young Ibu Mien and the young republic. Ibu Mien struggled to -- adjust to a foreign land, coping with a young family and often left to cope alone as her husband attended his diplomatic duties. As the young republic triumphed and achieved sovereignty in establishing an embassy in Washington D.C. so did Ibu Mien triumph in adjusting and enjoying life in the U.S., coping with a young family and even obtaining a drivers license.

Other than Indonesian history, accounts of the racial segregation issue and diplomatic life in the early 1950s, also provides us with a glimpse of America in that period.

Seen through Ibu Mien's eyes, the period of the 1950s and early 1960s offer us a bird's eye view of the life of the elite in Jakarta filled with dancing, picnics and sailing.

Of course, the elite in Jakarta did more than party. They were also politically and socially aware intellectuals concerned with building a nation.

In particular, Ibu Mien's activities and participation in the Women's Socialist Movement, and Federation of Women shows her far-sighted aspirations to advance the status of women and the importance of education in achieving this.

Such aspirations are reflected in the way Ibu Mien raised her three daughters. She imparted clear ideas about the importance of education, which in turn no doubt contributed to their success in their respective fields and as persons in their own right.

The ups and downs or "turning wheel" of political life impinged on the lives of the Soedarpo family in a significant and sobering way. The paranoia and uncertainty of the last years of the Old Order culminated in the coup and the nationalism of the early New Order, all affected their lives directly and indirectly.

The arrest of Pak Darpo in May 1958 with the accusation of aiding rebels, and subsequent hardships seen through the eyes of Ibu Mien evokes the mood of the times more effectively than any history book. As always, during such episodes one discovers one's own source of strength, and as Ibu Mien poignantly states, who one's real friends are.

Another two significant incidents are also mentioned. The feelings of the people after the 1965 coup and the terrible killings were described accurately as leaving the people "dazed and confused about the whole situation but unmistakably angered and horrified", but she concludes wisely that "life has to go on" -- and of course it did.

The 1974 Malari incident in which rioting and anti-Japanese student demonstrations occurred, Pak Darpo was once again accused of having influenced students and placed on the blacklist and for almost two and half years was not allowed to leave the country.

However, the family weathered the ups and downs, and life continued. By all accounts, Pak Darpo succeeded in his business ventures by establishing his company as one of the most respected indigenous businesses. Ibu Mien continued to contribute her energies, dynamism and organizational abilities to various activities such as the Women's International Club.

The story ends in the present and a reflection that with hindsight, everything makes sense and events takes on a new meaning. She also offers a closing thought that life is guided by love and faith, where the truly great love is one that survives all perils, and that faith needs to always be accompanied by tolerance, patience and wisdom.

Needless to say Ibu Mien and Pak Darpo are exemplary of these principles as reflected in the course of their lives and achievements.

This is also an appropriate note to end the book on and a befitting tribute to their Golden Wedding Anniversary --Selamat Pak Darpo dan Ibu Mien!

-- Mari Pangestu