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Stories From Indonesia @[email protected] · 2026-09-25 · 09:29 UTC

From the Archives: Sumitro Djojohadikusumo: “I’m Not the Godfather,” Tempo.co

Sumitro Djojohadikusumo: “I’m not the Godfather” (1999)

By Setiyardi, Wicaksono and Hermien Y. Kleden, Tempo Magazine, April 5, 1999, Page 30

Time seems powerless against Sumitro Djojohadikusumo (1917-2001)—or against his memory. His face is deeply lined, his shoulders no longer upright, and he needs to grip a cane with his right hand when he walks. Yet his memory quickly makes one forget his age: He will turn 82 on May 29, 1999. He can explain events from the past in minute detail connecting them to more recent developments whenever necessary.

Occasionally, he waves a hand in the air to emphasize an important point then lowers it to touch the cuff of the distinctive Burberry-patterned jacket he was wearing that afternoon. Time, it seems, has been unable to overcome his taste for elegance: a white cotton button-down shirt with gold cuff links and a burgundy tie patterned with fine stripes.

Sumitro was born into a prominent family that raised him in a Western tradition without losing its Javanese touch. He says he is very proud to be from Banyumas, a former administrative residency on the border of the provinces of Central Java and West Java. Following in the footsteps of his father, Margono Djojohadikusumo (1894-1978)—a member of nationalist cultural organization Boedi Oetomo and a founder of the country’s first central bank, Bank Negara Indonesia, or BNI 1946—he pursued his education in Europe.

People arrive for the opening of Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) in Yogyakarta, August 17, 1946. ANTARA FOTO/IPPHOS/Rei/Koz/1946. Local Caption: Opening of BNI in Yogyakarta, August 17, 1946.

At 21, Sumitro earned an undergraduate degree in philosophy and literature from the Sorbonne in Paris. He then moved to the Netherlands to study economics at the Rotterdam School of Economics, earning his doctorate in 1942.

After leaving the university, he embarked on a long career that appears far from over. He has devoted considerable attention to the foundations of Indonesia’s economy, held several senior government positions and has worked as an economic consultant both at home and abroad.

He also experienced a period of “darkness”, when he was hunted by the government of the country’s first president President Sukarno, which accused him of conspiring with the break-away Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia, or PRRI, in the 1950s. The movement was once accused of separatism, although its supporters described it as an effort to develop the regions and save the nation from the influence of the Indonesian Communist Party.

Sumitro was condemned by members of his own party, the Indonesian Socialist Party (PSI) of Indonesia’s first prime minister Sutan Sjahrir (1909-1966). His association with the PRRI, meanwhile, was brief.

Cornered, he fled abroad. It was not until 10 years later, in July 1967, that Sumitro returned to Indonesia. He served as a minister in cabinets of President Suharto for two terms, from 1968 to 1978. After retiring from government, he worked as a consultant and lecturer and wrote numerous scholarly works.

His marriage to Dora Sigar produced four children who were intelligent—and controversial. One of them, Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto, was a brilliant military officer who married Siti Hediyati, the daughter of former President Suharto. His career abruptly ended soon after Suharto’s fall.

His eldest daughter, Biantiningsih Miderawati, married Soedradjad Djiwandono, the governor of Bank Indonesia who was dismissed in February of the previous year, 10 days before his term was due to end. His youngest son, Hashim, the head of Semen Cibinong, Petrokimia and several banks, is now facing serious difficulties in his businesses.

People have begun to wonder: Is this the end of the Djojohadikusumo family’s glory?

“I’ve been through the worst. And this is not the first time,” he said calmly to Tempo magazine reporters Setiyardi, Wicaksono and Hermien Y. Kleden, who interviewed him last week.

The conversation took place over two meetings—one at his office at 4 Kertanegara Street in Central Jakarta and the other at the Dharmawangsa Hotel in South Jakarta’s Kebayoran Baru district. Excerpts follow.

How are relations between you and Mr. Suharto now?

Two days after Mr. Suharto fell, I tried to contact him. I always do that when a relative or acquaintance is going through difficulties.

May we know what you discussed?

We did not meet. Through his aide, I said I wanted to see him. I would usually receive a response within two days. A week later, I was told, “The president is still busy.”

Two weeks later, I called again. There was still no response. After that, I no longer wanted to meet him.

Has being related by marriage to Mr. Suharto been a burden?

The first few years were good, but things gradually deteriorated. There was never a confrontation. I deliberately kept my distance. So the relationship was ordinary—not distant, but not close, either.

How do you feel seeing your in-law being condemned from all sides?

Not only as his in-law but as a human being, of course I feel sad. How can someone be condemned continuously?

Mr. Suharto’s mistake was that he placed too much trust in his children and in his business cronies. He was weak when it came to his children, especially after the death of Mrs. Tien. And all of his children resented Bowo [Prabowo], except Sigit, who was somewhat neutral.

It has been reported that you once said Prabowo’s marriage to Titiek Suharto was the greatest “historical mistake” of your life.

Oh, no. At the most …

This post is based on “Sumitro Djojohadikusumo: Saya Bukan Godfather”, Edisi: 04/28/ Tanggal: 1999-04-05 / Halaman: 30 / Rubrik: WAW / Penulis: Setiyardi, Wicaksono, Kleden, Hermien Y. https://data.tempo.co/MajalahTeks/detail/ARM20180612128791/sumitro-djojohadikusumo-saya-bukan-godfather. Featured image credit: Potret Lawas

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