Amir Sjarifoeddin: Politics and Truth in Indonesia, 1907-1948

by Rudolf Mrázek

414 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2024

Reviews

[Abrar Rizq · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have long admired Amir Sjarifuddin. Ever since I first read and understood his story, I have been a fan of his, alongside Sjahrir, Tan Malaka, and Hatta. I was so surprised when Rudolf Mrázek wrote Amir's biography. I immediately read it. Mrázek is an imaginative historian, even when writing biographies. Writing about Amir was particularly difficult due to the lack of oral and written sources about him. But Mrázek succeeded in doing so with sensitivity, presenting Amir not only as a political figure but also as a religious and frustrated man. The subtitle Politics and Truth is an apt choice because Amir's story is full of questions. There are many versions and controversies surrounding Amir's life. Was he a true communist? If so, why did he have such strong Christian beliefs? Even when he died, he still carried a Bible. Or did he become a communist because of heartbreak and depression? Mrázek explores this side of Amir in greater depth. He also presents various perspectives from many parties. The only drawback is that I find the narrative very complex and seemingly disjointed. I began to feel that Mrázek is like a historian's version of Nolan. However, the essence can be understood when we read the last part. Complex, intricate, yet relieving—that is Mrázek. And Amir remains a hero even though he has fallen and become a pawn of communism. But Amir's story is not a hero's tale; it is the story of a fallen angel.

[Ahmad Kurnia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Setelah berhasil dengan biografi Sutan Sjahrir, kini Mrazek merambah ke Amir Sjarifoedin. Kita boleh menilainya sebagai keberhasilan kembali. Di tengah terbatasnya bacaan untuk kita atas Amir, Mrazek hadir dengan gambarannya yang unik: Amir sebagai "Pelaut", mudah terombang-ambing, cergas, dan emosional. Karenanya pula, Amir oleh sebagian orang dianggap gagal menjadi pahlawan yang sebenarnya sudah diambang pintu, terkena ombak, dia belok ke kiri.

Lewat buku ini, Mrazek mengajak membaca ulang Amir, benarkah ia gagal jadi pahlawan karena kekiriannya, atau sebaliknya. Ia juga tidak begitu percaya hidup Amir ditutup dengan 'Internationale' dan ditemukannya sebuah Alkitab bersama kerangka jasadnya.

"Andaikata semua kesaksian boleh diabaikan, saya harap Amir justru meminta, katakanlah, dua puluh menit untuk mengisap pipanya untuk terakhir kali - lalu permintaan itu dikabulkan," tutup Mrazek di halaman 503. Amir ingin dibebaskannya dari orang-orang yang berusaha menariknya ke kiri atau ke kanan, terombang-ambing.

[mahatmanto · Rating 5 out of 5]

keren...
ada banyak sumber-sumber primer yang digunakan sehingga buku ini berkesan ditulis dari dalam.