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May 6, 2008 edition

The young Soemantri came from a remote spot in East Java to make history for himself in the middle of the last century. He was involved in the heated debates that took place in the Constitutional Assembly.
These days, as an intellectual, along with several colleagues he is still endeavoring to put the Constitution into order so that it can become the soul of the nation in coming centuries.
Speaking with Widiarsi Agustina from Tempo, he spoke about how different the political disagreements were during the era of the Constitutional Assembly compared with the current era of reform. Throughout the discussion with Tempo, not once did he have to refer to notes to recall dates or names. He is far from senile. “The secret lies in the three b’s: prayer (berzikir), thought (berpikir) and love (bercinta),” he said.

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More Memoar articles in other editions

March 18, 2008 edition

COMING from a village in Minahasa, North Sulawesi, Ventje wrote an important chapter for the land of his ancestors. March, 51 years ago, he read the Permesta. This declaration contained some important petitions to Jakarta: a comprehensive regional autonomy and the wiping out of centralistic government. Starting with the declaration, the Permesta transcended into the Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PRRI) after Jakarta responded to the demands with guns. Sumatra and Sulawesi revolted. The rebellion was intermingled with the controversy of American intelligence involvement. But Ventje has his own version that he disclosed at length to Tempo journalists Widiarsi Agustina and Nugroho Dewanto. At the age of 85, his memory is still crystal clear. He had to pay a high price for “the Permesta History” with jail and dismissal from the army. Nonetheless, he said: “I do not regret it.”

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