The Launch Of Pak Harto's Trace Book On Pranko Karya Mahpudi In Today's Memory, March 29, 2009

One of the stamps for the New Order development series. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA Memories of today, 23 years ago, March 29, 2009, Journalist Mahpudi launched Pak Harto's Trace book on Pranko. The book was launched in place with the celebration of National Filateli Day. The presence of the book made Suharto's son, Siti Hardijanti Rukmana (Mbak Tutut) happy not to play.

Mbak Tutut believes that the traces of Suharto's leadership can be known by the general public through stamps that illustrate the success of the development of the New Order (Orba). Moreover, Prangko has a big influence in explaining Suharto's dominance as the Father of Development.

The initial phase of Suharto and New Order's leadership was encouraged by the general public as the savior of the Indonesian economy. The Indonesian economy, which was in the Middle of the Old Order era, was able to be resolved. Suharto even formed a special group to increase Indonesia's economic growth by entrusting it to economists who graduated abroad. Berkeley Mafia, his name.

The study was successful. Gradually Indonesia was able to get out of the economic crisis. This is because the Indonesian economy is starting to accelerate up. President Suharto then began to knit Indonesia's dream of becoming a big country.

This economic increase has made the New Order Government perpetuate developments everywhere. Infrastructure development, especially from office development to roads. In fact, almost no day without building during the New Order leadership.

The results of the development were announced in all kinds of mass media. This effort made the public understand that the New Order government was working hard. As a result, no one doubts the capacity of the New Order in building.

Even though the New Order is often faced with land acquisition conflicts. This success made Suharto remembered as the Father of Indonesian Development.

During the regime in power, the Indonesian people are presented with shows or broadcasts that insert New Order political propaganda, especially through TVRI television stations and RRI radio.

"The two main news channels in Indonesia have never stopped presenting news regarding the success of the Repelita (Five-Year Development Plan) program, as well as the figure of Suharto as the Father of the Nation, the Father of Development," said Dhianita Kusuma Pertiwi in the book Regarding the New Order (2021).

The New Order government does not always spread the success of development through mere mass media. This is because New Order often takes advantage of alternative promotional mediums. Through stamps, for example. The use of stamps as a medium for carrying messages is considered important. Instead of being seen as an incoming postal duty, the New Order actually sees it as an effective government communication tool.

The construction stamp series was released by the New Order. In fact, the stamp series can still be seen today. all thanks to a journalist named Mahpudi who documented it. Mahpudi then launched the documentation in the form of a book at the Le Meridien Hotel, Jakarta on March 29, 2009.

Pak Harto's footprint on Pranko, he titled. The book is like a record of the history of New Order development in stamps. The event was greeted with great fanfare. The proof is that the book launch event was attended by state celebrities. From Suharto's son, Mbak Tutut to the former Minister of New Order, Emil Salim.

"The letter is the backbone of communication when telematics has not developed. Major General Pak Harto uses stamps as an intensive communication medium to ensure his people know about development activities," said Mbak Tutut, quoted on the Kompas website, March 29, 2009.