After Reading about Soekarno on Wikipedia
The first number 1 man in Indonesia had a life. He lived.
The real, unfiltered story about the life of the nationally revered first president of the world largest archipelago country may have been rendered inconspicuous be the legend and myths around him. However, no one can claim that he lived a simple, boring life. A gigantic roller coaster ride at worst, his life touched millions — both for better and for worse.
Rather than an attempt to re-encapsulate a biography impossible to get perfectly right, this should be perceived as a reflection on life. Let’s not get into the conversation of how can a life stemming from the same country can so starkly differ, or even more negligent, whether his life is good or bad. It is much more interesting (and light) to simply contemplate on how it can feel for another Indonesian to peek at a historic life, pulled by a sudden urge to learn about a name so often spoken in those history classes, where most of the details bounced off the uninterested ears of a teenager.
Sukarno, or Soekarno (as spelled with the Van Ophuijsen Spelling System used in Indonesia until 1947) was not named such at birth. Interestingly, born Kusno Sosrodihardjo, he was sickly and frail as a child, thus the decision — which rose from old traditions and beliefs — was made to rename him for better health (and perhaps, fortune). Who would have thought that the weak child would rose to near dictatorship?
Born from a Javanese noble class family of civil servants in 1901, Sukarno had much better education compared to most of the Indonesians, then colonized by the Dutch. So perhaps, education does influence our perspective in our lives after all. Furthermore, it was education that brought together his fateful meeting with Tjokroaminoto, a nationalist who introduced his young mind to, surprise, nationalism. Living under his roof, Sukarno even ended up marrying Tjokroaminoto’s daughter.
Yet, it is always the case with the greatest minds that education is simply the tool. Sukarno was blessed with not only the language skills (he was multilingual, a feat quite rare at the time), but also the independent personality that ushered highly complex, philosophical thoughts about ideologies, and the charisma that would charm millions as he went through his life. A quick reminder: this is not praising — it’s a reaction on an article from Wikipedia.
The long fight for Indonesian independence in which he participated and eventually led to his ascension to presidency is… too long to include in a reflection. One thing about it that piqued interest is that young Sukarno was already considered a national hero even before the goal was achieved — all from the power of his speeches and meeting organization. Does it say something about the character of Indonesian people? Or does it say something about the extent of his capabilities? Worthy questions — for other time.
In the 1930s, the to-be first President had to work. Using his Architecture degree, he had to finance his then formed political party, PNI (Partai Nasional Indonesia, translatable to Indonesian National Party). He established an architectural firm. Working on both his business and political agenda, he caught the attention of the Dutch government, then colonists, which then exiled him with his family to a remote town of Ende on the island of Flores.
By then, he had married and brought his second wife, Inggit, with him during his exile. This is another facet of his life, being involved with nine wives over his lifetime (at most, being married to five/six for a period of time). A common reaction by someone today would be: how could he? Another interesting angle, however, is that it is a reoccurring theme for powerful men (and women, see Cleopatra) to be involved with multiple partners. If this world is not a winner-takes-all world, it is a winner-takes-many, after all.
While many of us become insecure and coy with the smallest setbacks in life, Sukarno got involved with yet another woman even as he was in exile. Intentionally pulling our thoughts away from wandering into a moral argument about polygamy, let’s question this: is confidence something you are born with? Or is it something you can train? If it is both, can someone who train be more confident than those who are born confident?
Sukarno’s propensity (and arguably, capability) to get involved with many women, was perceived differently at different points in his life. It endeared him to the Indonesian people when he was at the peak of his power, and became a part of the criticism against him during his descend. Fascinating phenomenon, how perception about somebody gets changed.
…
Fast forward into his leadership.
In the 21 years of being in office, Sukarno’s leadership evolved. The celebration of independence was gradually replaced with the responsibility of administration. Always leaning towards socialism — we would like to think because of his care for the people in need or under oppression — Sukarno became more and more like an autocrat as time went by. His idea of “Guided Democracy” pushed his image as the sole leader of Indonesia, and some other people, including Mohammad Hatta, his vice president, away from him.
At some point, certain symptoms of a socialist dictatorship emerged in Indonesia, such as the control over media (TV and radio station), limitations on public opinion against Sukarno, and the naming of certain places after himself (e.g. Sukarnopura City, now Jayapura). Sukarno gained the power to handpick the members of the parliament, mobilize national military, and basically, almost everything a government body can do as a single person.
Being an autocrat may seem like the way to go for those ambitious, idealistic souls. Yet, one apparent disadvantage in politics — especially when you have no shortage of rivals — is that people can easily (and often, eagerly) blame everything wrong on the clearly identifiable autocrat. Perhaps Sukarno began his socialistic quest with the best intentions. However, governing more than 100 million is never a single person job. Thus, it seems that having power to do (and as a result, being responsible for) everything limits the capability for other people to help. And down the economy went.
Beloved and supported as he is, there were always those around him who waited for the opportunity to take his throne. While it can be personal, most of the time, it seems that it is the nature of business in politics. What followed was among the bloodiest political coup in Indonesian history.
If truly, he did start with compassion for the lower economic class, where did it go wrong? Was it being in power? Was it simply turbulent times in the political arena, with other players other than him? Was it a personality thing, something within Sukarno that he was born with? Did he make a mistake, a blunder in politics that people took advantage of?
As many have noticed, contemplation on life does not always (or rather, rarely) end with an answer. In fact, it often brings more questions. That’s why it is necessary to know when to stop jumping deeper into the rabbit hole, and to always keep in mind that there will be things out of our comprehension.
Sukarno lived a life.
And it’s good to know when to stop.
