Soedjatmoko is known as a scholar who never stopped thinking about liberation and the future of the nation. His concern for the economic, political, cultural problems, as well as poverty, and unemployment was always expressed in scientific forums, seminars and discussions, both within and outside the country. Several books were written, among others, Asia in the Eyes of Soedjatmoko, Being an Educated Nation According to Soedjatmoko, and Intellectuals in Developing Countries.
Soedjatmoko was once the Rector of the UN University in Japan, although he had no formal academic degree and did not finish his college education. He also received many honorary doctoral titles from various universities in developed countries, such as the US, Europe, and Asia. Familiarly called Bung Koko, he was a scholar who once served as an ambassador to the United States.
That’s a brief account of Soedjatmoko. In the view of historian Prof. Dr. Ahmad Syafii Maarif who is also the former chairman of Muhammadiyah organization, Soedjatmoko represents a humble and religious scholar, who is much needed as one of the leading example of Indonesian intellectuals dealing with intellectual pragmatism. "His roles should be learned by young people in the midst of intellectual degradation and inflation, and by doctoral degree holders who prioritize pragmatism," said Syafii Maarif when speaking in the discussion entitled GREAT THINKERS: Soedjatmoko: The Power and Prison of Intellectuals held at the UGM Graduate school, Wednesday (23/6).
He added that many Indonesian scholars and intellectuals, after the study abroad, are not able to apply their knowledge in accordance with the needs and culture of Indonesia. Quantitatively, Syafii added, Indonesian society is large, but few can emulate Soedjatmoko. "At a very young age, Soedjatmoko already accompanied Indonesian intellectuals in their duty abroad. In the present time, with the big population, only a small number can emulate a figure as intelligent as Soedjatmoko," he said.
In the meantime, the other speaker in this discussion who is a professor of University of Indonesia’s Graduate School and Sanata Dharma University, Dr. Haryatmoko, S.J, said that many of Soedjatmoko’s ideas are still relevant to be applied up to the present day. He cited Soedjatmoko’s idea on the tendency of Indonesian intellectuals to joining a political party or the circle of power. This encouraged people to make an issue of their moral and political responsibility. "The context of that idea is still relevant. Soedjatmoko discussed the role of the third world intellectuals from the perspective of the internal conflict they experienced, especially in dealing with the relationship between the intellectuals and the power," said Haryatmoko.
On the other hand, these scholars have to compromise so that the ideas and the power are more and more effective. Meanwhile, those who adhere to the “philosophy of suspicions”, according to Haryatmoko, saw the critical necessity for scholars to be involved in politics.
Soedjatmoko in some of his writings also briefly mentioned the main contribution of intellectuals that can be formulated in at least three things: changing perception of the nation in facing various problems, changing the nation’s ability to respond to new problems, and changing the rules of the game in a political struggle. “In his view, these intellectuals’ idealism has to be accompanied by pragmatism of action. It means that to counteract stagnation, the scholars need not only courage, but also the smart flexibility and a deep understanding of their community," Haryatmoko added.
One of the interesting things related to the position of intellectuals in politics according to Soedjatmoko is that most of the scholars should remain outside the government and have no direct political involvement to strengthen and maintain the intellectual institution and voluntary organizations in order to ensure a balance between state power and civil society. "The assertion is a prerequisite for freedom and civility of the political system," he said.
Soedjatmoko was born in Sawahlunto on January 10, 1922 and he died in Yogyakarta on December 21, 1989 at the age of 67. He was the second child of four siblings who all have contributions in Indonesian history and science. The four brothers are Mr. Siti Wahyunah Sjahrir (the wife Sutan Syahrir), Soedjatmoko, Prof. Miriam Budiardjo (UI political expert), and Nugroho Wisnumurti (member of the UN International Law Commission).