Ibnu Sutowo Yells At The Hilton Dusseldorf Hotel, December 14, 1973: The Key To BJ Habibie's Return To Indonesia

BJ Habibie, former Minister of Research and Technology who eventually became the third President of Indonesia to replace Suharto in 1998. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA- Bacharuddin Jusuf (BJ) Habibie is a leading engineer from Indonesia. His perseverance in the world of aerospace in Germany received much praise. The news reached Suharto. BJ Habibie was asked to develop the Indonesian aerospace industry. He also sent Ibn Sutowo to persuade Habibie to return home. Instead of persuading, Ibnu Sutowo, who is famous for having high balls, snapped at Habibie. His voice was loud. His shouts made Habibie aware that Indonesia needed his knowledge.

Habibie's professional career in the high-end aerospace industry. He started his career as a research assistant at RWTH Aachen University's Institute of Light Construction. Then, worked as Vice President Director of Technology from Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm (MBB). Habibie was hailed as a world-class aircraft expert. The attraction that made the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos (1965-1986) smitten.

Marcos had a ploy. He invited Habibie through his boss, Ludwig Bolkow. Habibie was also sent to visit Malacanang Palace in early January 1974. Marcos was not shy about his intention to invite Habibie to build the aerospace industry in the Rice Barn Country. Even though, at first Marcos thought that Habibie was a native of the Philippines.

BJ Habibie as Vice President when he accepted the delegation of President of Indonesia from Suharto on May 21, 1998. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Even so, Marcos did not blame Habibie's Indonesian status. He was even more attracted by offering Habibie to immediately move to Manila. He promised to undertake all the facilities that Habibie wanted, including providing space for Habibie to help Indonesia from Manila. However, Habibie's request was rejected.

“Marcos might think the name Habibie sounds like the name of the Moro people on Mindanao Island, Southern Philippines. Marcos wanted to prove it. Therefore, he asked Ludwig Bolkow for the young man named Habibie to come to see him.”

“Bolkow is back in Germany. He assigned Habibie to the Philippines to meet Ferdinand Marcos, the then very powerful and rich President of the Philippines. Through a special meeting of the MBB leadership, it was decided that Habibie would immediately go to the Philippines and bring two assistants, the two assistants were tall, blond, and blue-eyed," wrote A. Makmur Makka in his book Inspiration Habibie (2020).

Suharto Utus Ibn Sutowo

It may be that Habibie rejected Marcos' invitation to join in developing the Philippine aerospace world. But Marcos remains confident that Habibie will one day accept his offer. Marcos felt that Habibie still needed to reconsider his decision.

Therefore, Marcos confidently shared his dream of building the Philippine aerospace world to President Suharto. Marcos told this about a few months after accepting Habibie's refusal. Suharto was skeptical. He questioned who would later become the main figure driving the Philippine aerospace industry. In a relaxed manner, Marcos said: Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie.

The name was clearly not a stranger to Suharto. This is because Suharto had previously served in Pare-Pare as Commander of the Garuda Mataram Brigade. Suharto's headquarters at that time was close to Habibie's house. Even Suharto with Habibie's parents.

This closeness made Suharto not want the child he used to call Rudi to develop Philippine aerospace. Suharto immediately made a strategy. He ordered the President Director of Pertamina, Ibnu Sutowo.

Hilton Dusseldorf Hotel, Germany, where Ibnu Sutowo and BJ Habibie first met on December 14, 1943. (Photo: en.quierohotel.com)

Habibie himself did not know Ibn Sutowo. His busy life as an aerospace expert made Habibie not follow the development of Indonesian politics. The Indonesian Ambassador to West Germany, Achmad Tirtosudiro, gave an invitation. Habibie also agreed. The meeting between Ibnu Sutowo and Habibie took place at the Hilton Hotel, Dusseldorf on December 14, 1973.

Ibn Sutowo, who was famous for having high guts, immediately cursed Habibie. He said Habibie should be ashamed as an Indonesian. The yell was justified. Indonesia's aerospace industry at that time was not yet developed. But Habibie actually spent a lot of time working to advance the country of the people.

After yelling, Ibnu Sutowo then explained at length about Indonesia's dream to build aerospace. Ibn Sutowo revealed all kinds of problems. Debate then graced the meeting.

The goal is none other than to make Indonesia shine even more in the eyes of the world. The results of the meeting resulted in a decision. Habibie is willing to return to Indonesia, in order to maintain Indonesia's hopes of building the aerospace industry.

Ibnu Sutowo, former President Director of Pertamina who brought BJ Habibie back to Indonesia. (Photo: Wikipedia)

“As soon as their eyes met, Ibnu Sutowo did not express himself like someone who had just met, but spoke loudly, with an angry tone, and immediately said: Brother Rudy, Jij Moet Shaamen, Als Indonesier (Brother Rudy, you should be ashamed of yourself as an Indonesian. ). Why, sir? Why, sir? What have I done? asked BJ Habibie in surprise. In Indonesia people are building, why are you here?”

"In the meeting, Ibnu first described the situation in the country, about the development that is being promoted, the plans that will be carried out and the aspirations of the Indonesian people that have not been achieved as well as President Suharto's message that Habibie be ready to go home," concluded A. Makmur Makka in other books MR. Crack from Pare-Pare (2018).