Earlier this week, social media platform X (formerly known
as Twitter) was abuzz with a controversy that brought to light the complex
interplay between digital preservation and intellectual property rights. The
uproar began with Halida Hatta, representing the heirs of Indonesia’s national
hero Bung Hatta, expressing her disappointment through the Unqualified Podcast
account @podunqualified. The controversy centered around the actions of
Yustinus Prastowo, who, through his account @prastow, had digitized and shared
one of Bung Hatta’s books, Ajaran Marx atau Kepintaran Sang Murid Membeo
(1975).
Halida Hatta and the heirs viewed Prastowo’s digitization as
a form of piracy, sparking a heated debate online. On the morning of June 10,
Prastowo responded to the criticism by issuing an apology and promptly deleting
the tweet and the digital file of Bung Hatta’s work. He clarified that his
intentions were benign, aimed at making the rare and expensive book accessible
to the public.
Mohammad Hatta, fondly known as Bung Hatta, holds a revered
place in Indonesian history. He served as the country’s vice president from
1945 to 1956 and as prime minister from 1948 to 1950. Beyond his political
roles, Bung Hatta is celebrated as the Father of Indonesian Cooperatives for
his efforts in promoting cooperative movements. His legacy extends to his
prolific writings, which continue to inspire generations.
Halida Hatta’s reflections on her father’s writing habits
reveal his unwavering dedication. “There were no time constraints when it came
to writing. If he was in the mood, he (Hatta) could stay in his study for
days,” she shared, as documented in Bung Hatta Kita, dalam Pandangan
Masyarakat (1982). This dedication was evident from a young age, influenced
by his uncle, Mak Etek Ayub Rais, who gifted him significant books on
economics, politics, and socialism. These early readings profoundly shaped
Hatta’s intellectual pursuits and his later prolific writing career.
Hatta’s involvement in the youth organization Jong
Sumatranen Bond (JSB) marked the beginning of his active engagement in
nationalistic discourse. Serving as the treasurer for JSB branches in Padang
and Batavia, he regularly contributed his thoughts to the organization’s
newspaper. His writings during this period reflected his deep commitment to
Indonesia’s nationalistic ideals, which he continued to express in various
publications, including the prominent newspaper Neratja.
In 1921, Hatta pursued further studies in the Netherlands,
continuing his writing for Neratja. His love for books remained
unwavering, with frequent visits to bookstores in Rotterdam and Hamburg, where
he amassed an impressive collection. This passion for literature and learning
underpinned his extensive output, which includes dozens of books on the social
sciences, philosophy, and history.
Maryono’s analysis in “Bung Hatta, Proklamator, Ilmuwan,
Penulis, dan Karya-karyanya: Sebuah Analisis Bio-Bibliometrik,” published in Berkala
Ilmu Perpustakaan dan Informasi (Vol. IX, No. 2, 2015), highlights Hatta’s
prolific output. Throughout his life, Hatta produced 163 works, comprising 159
books and 4 journal articles. This body of work encompasses a wide range of
themes, from philosophy and religion to history and the social sciences,
particularly economics and politics.
Among Hatta’s notable works is Alam Pikiran Yunani,
his first published book, written during his exile in Boven Digul in 1935. This
book, which served as his wedding gift to Siti Rahmiati, aimed to broaden
philosophical understanding and sharpen intellectual rigor. In Demokrasi
Kita, Hatta critiqued the state of democracy in Indonesia, providing a
pointed criticism of President Sukarno’s administration. His influential
speech, Mendayung antara Dua Karang, laid the foundation for Indonesia’s
non-aligned foreign policy amidst Cold War tensions.
Ajaran Marx atau Kepintaran Sang Murid Membeo and Untuk
Negeriku, Sebuah Otobiografi are other significant works that reflect
Hatta’s intellectual legacy. The latter, initially published as Mohammad
Hatta: Memoir in 1979, offers a comprehensive look at his life and
thoughts.
The recent controversy surrounding the digitization of
Hatta’s work underscores the ongoing challenges in balancing the preservation
of intellectual heritage with respecting the rights of heirs and authors. As
the digital age continues to evolve, these debates highlight the need for
thoughtful approaches to sharing and protecting the intellectual legacies of
historical figures like Bung Hatta.
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