MOHAMMAD Hatta never delivered his defense speech before the judicial panel of The Hague court, The Netherlands. It was in March 1928, on the eve of Idul Fitri. The day before the scheduled presentation of his defense, the judge told Hatta’s attorney, J.E.W. Duys, that Hatta was only required to hand over his defense manuscript. “It’s a good indication,” Duys consoled Hatta.

It was true. The judicial panel acquitted Hatta and three exec