Sukarno in Bukittinggi: Story of a Stolen Bag

Early March 1942, the Japanese threat was getting closer to the Dutch East Indies. In order to prevent the Dai Nippon army from using Sukarno as a propaganda tool, the Dutch intended to bring Sukarno and Inggit Garnasih to Australia. That was the plan. In reality, the KNIL military force in Sumatra was helpless when dealing with the 25th Army of the Imperial Japanese Army.

"They were like cowards: run away… and left me behind. This was a big mistake on their part," said Sukarno in his autobiography, Bung Karno Pejambung Lidah Rakjat Indonesia (compiled by Cindy Adams).

The Dutch East Indies government was only able to bring Sukarno and his entire family from Bengkulu to Padang. While in the capital city of West Sumatra, Sukarno and his family temporarily stayed at the house of Woworuntu, a good acquaintance from Manado.

The Japanese military gradually caught a glimpse of Sukarno's whereabouts. They then went to him and invited Sukarno to come to Bukittinggi, one of their headquarters in Sumatra.

Long story short, Sukarno met with the leader of the Japanese army named Colonel Fujiyama. During the meeting, Fujiyama invited Sukarno to join Dai Nippon's grand plan to fight the Allied. Sukarno's invitation was welcomed. He felt that for the first step towards independence, the Japanese hand should be put to good use. Furthermore, good relations were established between the two parties.

One day, Sukarno heard the news that Anwar Sutan Saidi (one of his best friends while in West Sumatra) was arrested by Kenpeitai (Japanese Army Military Police) in Bukittinggi. It was reported that Anwar had conspired with a number of pro-Allied parties to fight against the rule of the Japanese army. Knowing his friend was in danger, Sukarno then decided to go to Colonel Fujiyama in Bukittinggi.

After arrived in Bukittinggi, Sukarno went straight to Munadji's house on Jalan Sheikh Bantam. At the house of one of his Minang friends, he then left a bag containing Inggit Garnasih's gold necklace and diamond pendant. Sukarno himself then rushed to meet the Japanese military officials at their headquarters and managed to free Anwar that very day.

After Anwar's business was finished, Sukarno returned to Munadji's house. However, Bung Karno was very upset when he found out that his bag had been stolen by a thief. Munadji, Anwar and other Bukittinggi leaders were embarrassed by the incident. They then asked for help from a cleric named Inyik Djambek (a respectful call to Sheikh Mohammad Djamil Djambek).

It didn't take long, thanks to the help of the cleric who was still a close relative of Mohammad Hatta, Sukarno's bag was able to return. The news spread that the 'ignorant' thief was a Chinese man. He returned the bag himself by placing it in the corner of a field. The bag was then taken by Inyik Djambek and handed over directly to Sukarno.

Is it true that the thief is a Chinese? Hasjim Ning, one of Hatta's nephews, doubts the story. In his autobiography, compiled by A.A. Navis, "Ups and Downs of Warrior Entrepreneurs", Hasjim once confirmed the story to the people of Bukittinggi who knew about the incident. Their answers were astounding.

"Ah, it was Awak people who stole it. Because he was ashamed of Bung Karno, it was said that the Chinese stole it. Yet how dare the Chinese there became thieves. Moreover, stealing the property of Bung Karno, a leader who was highly respected by the people..." said one of them.

According to Hasjim, when he received a report that Bung Karno's bag was stolen by a thief, Inyik Djambek took the initiative to summon the leader of the most feared criminal in Bukittinggi. He then scolded the leader of the black world.

"Shame on you, please find it!" he said.

Embarrassed and ashamed of the ulama and Bung Karno, the 'godfather' then looked for the 'small petty thief'. It didn't take hours, the person was found. A new problem arose because the entire contents of the bag had already changed hands to the profiteers on the black market. But Inyik Djambek didn't want to know, he insisted that they must be found at all cost.

"(Just) two days later, the suitcase was handed over to Inyik Djambek with all its contents," said Hasjim.

You can imagine the hard work of 'the godfather' and his men collecting the stolen goods all over the black market of West Sumatra. It is said that Bung Karno himself felt happy and grateful for the return of his personal belongings which would become the capital of the struggle of independence, without missing a single one.