From Andalas to Indonesia Raya

The winding dike cuts across the rice fields of the village of Talawi Mudiak, Sawahlunto, West Sumatra, some 110 kilometers from Padang. It was a favorite playground for children. To make conditions even sweeter, nearby at the end of the footpath was the tributary of the river Batang Ombilin where the water was fresh water despite being brown.

Every time he looked at the dike, Ramidi, 77, recalled what his father, Muhamad Didong, said. "Yamin always walked in the forefront along the dike. Like a leader, he would herd his friends to Batang Ombilin to take a bath. His qualities as a leader were obvious to his peers," said Ramidi late last July, quoting his father. Didong was the second eldest brother of Muhammad Yamin's five siblings, all born from the same father and mother.