The ups and downs of the lives of the Soedarpo family

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