The Short Life of a Presidential Aide's Memoir
Oei Tjoe Tat wrote his memoir as a form of passive resistance against the New Order. His home was later besieged by mass organizations.
The memoir of former state minister Oei Tjoe Tat, written under President Sukarno, nearly never saw the light of day. His wife, Rika (Kwee Loan Nio), encouraged him to share his story for their children's benefit. Oei had served nearly a decade in detention without trial due to his close ties with Sukarno. Stanley Adi Prasetyo, the manuscript's editor, first encountered it in 1986 during Oei's visit to Salatiga, Central Java.
The elder brother of Soe Hok Gie, Soe Hok Djin, provided the manuscript. Stanley reproduced and distributed the work among academics and discussion groups at Satya Wacana Christian University. Despite initial reluctance, Oei eventually agreed to publish the memoir. Stanley continued to press for its release, garnering support from notable figures such as Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Abdurrahman Wahid, Daniel Saul Lev, and Romo Mangun.
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