IN Sungai Dareh, a nagari (village) in West Sumatra near the borders of Jambi and Riau, a group of civilian and military figures gathered quietly in January 1958. They discussed resistance against the central government. Sumitro Djojohadikusumo was among those present.

In an interview with Tempo in 1999, Herman Nicolas “Ventje” Sumual recalled the names assembled there: Assaat Datuk Mudo alias Mr. Assaat, Sjafruddin Prawiranegar