0 Taufik Celebrates His 70th Birthday by Being Outspoken as Always

Celebrating his 70th birthday on Monday, Taufik Kiemas, the speaker of People’s Consultative Assembly, openly criticized his wife, Megawati Sukarnoputri, Indonesia’s former president and chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), for being surrounded by yes-men. He said that he needed to express his criticism because that would save the party from making mistakes. “People can make mistakes. I can make mistakes and so can Ibu,” he said, referring to Megawati. 

“But if you just say yes [to everything], then we will destroy the party.” Taufik already has openly lambasted his own wife’s ambition to run for the presidency in 2014, saying that she is too old and that she should give the new generation a chance. The senior politician has also been to active in trying to form coalitions between the PDI-P and other major parties, such as the ruling Democratic Party and the Golkar Party, ahead of the 2014 elections. His statements and moves have caused his relationship with his wife to sour. 

Puan Maharani, their daughter and chairman of the PDI-P faction at the House of Representatives, said that her parents often have disagreements when they discuss politics. Speaking at an event to mark Taufik’s 70th birthday and the launch of his book, “The Spirit of Nationalism Never Dies,” Puan said that her life has been deeply affected by the political lives of her parents. “Mr. TK is said to be someone expressive and egalitarian. Mrs. Mega is said to be an introvert and not talkative,” Puan said. 

“But they are one unit and mutually support and complement each other.” Puan said that as soon as she entered politics, she was given the task of lobbying to get Taufik named as chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly, or MPR. “Thank God, he was selected,” Puan recalled. “I asked Bu Mega why she allowed father to become chairman of the MPR and, if I am not mistaken, her answer was, ‘Who else can we expect to maintain the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia if not your father?’ ” she said. 

Puan recalled that her father was really active in discussions to safeguard the integrity of the nation, and came out with the principle of the four pillars of nationhood. “I hope that all people can use these four pillars as a reference for life toward a better nation in the future,” she said. The four pillars are the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, Unity in Diversity, Nationhood and National Unity. Theo L. Sambuaga, deputy chairman of Golkar, praised Taufik at the birthday celebration for fighting to safeguard Indonesia’s pluralism. 

“When he was young, he already had a spirit to end segregation,” Theo said. “He never treats people based on their religion, ethnicity or group.” Theo, who is also the president of BeritaSatu Media Holdings, which publishes the Jakarta Globe, added that it is possible to compete on a political level, but that the nation and its leaders should stick together in upholding the Pancasila ideology and its democratic values.

source : the jakarta globe