IN 1964 I was an assistant professor and the executive secretary of the University of Indonesia’s Law Faculty. The dean at that time was Professor Soejono Hadinmoto. When Soejono was appointed minister and deputy chair of the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA), he asked me to be his secretary.

Before deciding whether or not to take up the offer, I sought advice from my colleague, Harry Tjan, who was then the secretary-general of the Catholic Party