Mochtar Lubis Threatens To Restore The Ramon Magsaysay Award In Today's Memory, August 5, 1996

The Ramon Magsaysay Award, an award from the Philippine Government that Mochtar Lubis once wanted to return on August 5, 1996. (rmaward.asia)

JAKARTA Memories of today, 27 years ago, August 5, 1996, Sastrawan cum Journalist, Mochtar Lubis threatened to return the Ramon Magsaysay Award he received in 1958. The threat was made because the Magsaysay Foundation in the Philippines wanted to give awards to Pramoedya Ananta Toer.

Previously, Mochtar Lubis and Pram were known as opposite figures in the Old Order era. All of this was because Pram was asked as a leader of the People's Culture Institute (Lekra).

Pram's existence as a well-known scholar has been heavily criticized. The harshest criticism arose from Mochtar Lubis a figure who both devoted himself to the world of literature. At first Mochtar Lubis respected Pram. Vice versa in the era of the Old Order.

Problems arose when Pram was considered to have begun to devote himself to political arenas. Pram is considered close to an organization affiliated with the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), Lekra. He is even close to the Secretary General of Lekra, AS Dharta.

This closeness made Pram's life completely changed. At first, he often felt bitter that life as a writer began to live comfortably. Even though he no longer serves as a editor of the Balai Pustaka. AS Dharta then came to provide some work to Pram.

Mainly, the matter of translating a work. US Dharta believes Pram in doing well. Then, every time there is an art celebration abroad, AS Dharta entrusts Pram to attend. The good is allegedly done by many parties to make Pram begin to position himself as a left writer.

Pram, who is considered to have a khatam of literary affairs, was then asked to be the new leader of Lekra. This position makes Pram's power in the world of Indonesian literature so great. In fact, Pram is said to want to control reading that does not touch the Communists.

Since then he has been active in activities related to politics. He was appointed by the Lekra National Congress to be one of his leaders. But it seems more as a symbol, because Pram is not an active person in the organization. His support for Left Political steps was voiced through writing in the Lentrera'' of the cultural space in the East Star newspaper he leads.

The East Star newspaper itself is affiliated with Partindo (Indonesia Party), so it's not Left. The writings hit the universal humanism group' contained in the Lentrera are often harder than the writings contained in the Rakjat Daily or New Age (the official Lekra majalah), "explained Ajip Rosidi in the bookLekra Part of the PKI(2015).

Pram's fate was then uncertain when the Old Order collapsed. The New Order (Orba) government isolated him to Buru Island because he was affiliated with the PKI. However, Pram did not remain silent. He continues to perpetuate his hobby of writing. Even the Archaeological Works of Burulahir Island from him. A work that makes Pram's name global.

Pram's hard work brings results. The book Tertalogy of Burudiminati Island is everywhere. This reason made Pram scheduled to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1996. However, the plan was rejected by a group of Indonesian writers. Mochtar Lubis Mainly. The rejection was due to Pram's past sins with Lekra.

Pram is considered the source of the burning of books that perpetuate criticism of communism and the PKI. Moreover, Pram is considered the determinant of Mochtar Lubis being sentenced to prison for perpetuating criticism of the Old Order government.

Mochtar lubis was unable to contain his frustration on August 5, 1996. He through the Kompas Daily threatened to return the Ramon Magsaysay Award he received in 1958 (even though he officially just received Mochtar Lubis after leaving prison in 1966). All of this was perpetuated if the Magsayay Award committee in the Philippines continued to appoint Pram as the winner.

They do not agree with Pram getting the Nobel Asia award. They accuse Pram of being one of the spokespersons and executioners of Lekra who are known to be the fiercest, hitting, stealing, slaughtering, and fighting during the guided democracy period.

"Because of his track record which is considered full of black spots, Pram is deemed inappropriate to be given the award and demands the revocation of the award given to Pram. This rejection is essentially so that the Magsaysay award to Pram is canceled," explained Muhammad Muhibbuddin in the book Pramoedya Ananta Toer: Note from Behind Prison (2019).