Sudomo sat comfortably behind the ornately carved desk observing and enjoying the obvious agitation the Timorese was experiencing. The clinging aroma of the kretek cigarette permeated the stuffy atmosphere within this enormous Javanese sanctum. The general relished the power of his position and had orchestrated the demise of many of his peers from this very office. Now he was one of the few trusted officers close to the President.
He himself claimed to have no political ambitions. He had always believed that the military were the real power and that the day would come when even the over zealous politicians would need the total support of the army to survive their fool-hardy and unworkable efforts to change the inherent character of the peasant class.
Born in the heart of Central Java in a small village not far from the historic Borobudur temple, this son of a peasant farmer had once idolised the man who had become the nation’s leader. Politically naive, Sudomo had followed Soekarno’s leadership without question, as so many others had over the past twenty years.
He had learned to read at the village Sekolah Dasar. He could speak a little of the difficult Dutch language, but preferred communicating in his native dialect, Javanese. Even the national language, Bahasa Indonesia , did not flow fluently from his lips.
Although poorly educated, his rapid rise in rank was directly related to his ability to understand and overcome opposition. Prior to receiving his first star he had, in fact, met the President only twice. The first meeting was in Semarang when the Bapak , as he was often referred to, visited the local military command to introduce Dr Subandrio’s latest innovation, a cadre force of women soldiers. These turned out to be a supply of Sundanese prostitutes for the Bapak’s private use. These women would follow their leader from town to town ready at all times to provide the President with the creature comforts he so obviously enjoyed when away from the Palace.
At that time there were already rumblings of discontent regarding the President’s support for increased Communist activity within the military. The Javanese Generals were secretly concerned that the communists were covertly stripping power from the army as they had succeeded in doing so with the AURI and ALRI leadership.
General Sudomo’s second meeting had been in the company of General Nasution who had visited the Bapak at his weekend palace in Bogor. Soekarno had remembered his name and from that time Sudomo’s star commenced its ascent. Now he headed the army’s most secret intelligence bureau, reporting directly to the Chief- of- army- Staff.
His reaction to the young Seda was typically Javanese. Inwardly he despised the minority tribes, while in public he maintained an air of friendliness to all, regardless of their ethnic origins. He had kept Seda on his staff as the man was intelligent and loyal.
General Sudomo leaned back casually, preparing his next words for their greatest impact. The Javanese enjoyed drama. It was an integral part of their cultural make-up. The Ramayana saga. The discomfort he was causing the Timorese was most gratifying.
“How long is it since you have seen your brother Albert? ” The General asked. The words hung in the air before Seda realised they were discussing his estranged step-brother in Australia.
Seda knew that he should show no signs of nervousness with this man and that his questions should be answered quickly and precisely. A small knot began to form in his stomach as he recalled omitting all reference to his brother in the detailed security information sheet prior to being selected for the Intelligence Corp. Abrother, albeit only a stepbrother, who had acquired a criminal record for subversive activities, was not exactly ideal reference material for security clearances, especially in this Corp.
General Sudomo’s pleasure increased as he identified the uneasiness evident in the Colonel’s posture.
“Well, Kolonel?” he asked.
“Pak ‘Domo,” Seda commenced using the polite and abbreviated form of the General’s name hoping it would ease some of the tension between them. “ It has been many years since he was deported and we were not really brothers .”
The General was completely conversant with the facts surrounding the departure of Albert Seda, his misdemeanours as a student, and Nathan Seda’s family. This interview was only a formality. He wanted to appear to be thorough with the Timorese.
The Colonel continued.
“We shared the same mother — I mean my mother married his father after my own father died.” He felt flustered having stumbled with the reply. Seda was now embarrassed and angry. His family background was one subject he preferred not to discuss and now yet again it had become an issue in his career.
“As his adik-tiri, I had no influence over him whatsoever General, ” insisted Seda, anticipating some negative result from his family
association with the man. “I felt that any reference to our family relationship would only have been detrimental to my career and decided to omit all reference to him .” He stared blankly in front of him, resigned to whatever punishment he would receive.
Sudomo, now satisfied that Seda had confirmed his earlier information said, “It is not necessarily a problem Kolonel.”
“Maaf, Pak ‘Domo, I don’t understand .”
“We will overlook your oversight,” the General responded, smiling at his choice of words. “Your brother has communicated with you recently? ” he asked suddenly before Seda could have the chance to compose himself.
Seda squirmed. Letters usually requesting assistance to forward money to his mother and other family members had arrived from time to time. Surely they would not be aware of this?
“Tidak, Pak ‘Domo,” he lied. The General’s eyes narrowed slightly. He studied his subordinate for what seemed to Seda to be an excruciatingly long time.
‘ What is this all about? ’ he wondered, now very concerned as to the direction the meeting had taken. He refrained from speaking further, waiting instead for the senior officer to continue.
“You are instructed to commence communicating with him.” Sudomo ordered. “We feel that he may be of some assistance to us, should you foster the relationship .” Seda was stunned. Surely they were mistaken! What had Albert done to bring himself to their attention? His letters had been brief, courteous, and uninformative. He felt the knot in his stomach return.
“Your brother has achieved a position of confidence with the Australian Government, ” the Intelligence Director said sharply, focusing on the Colonel’s eyes as he spoke. “He is currently employed as a language teacher for selected government personnel. We feel that his access to these people could be of advantage to Indonesia’s future. ”
Seda could not believe his ears. Albert! A position of importance with the Australian Government! It was incomprehensible! He was certain that there had been some mistake. His stepbrother had always been in trouble. How was it possible that he could now be the one suggested by his superior? He thought quickly. Without knowing the General’s real purpose he was lost in this discussion. He dare not refuse to assist.
Whether or not Albert’s relationship could be cultivated was another consideration. It had been so long since they had last seen each other and even then Seda was happy to see the last of the troublemaker. He did not feel confident of carrying out the orders, remembering the circumstances governing Albert’s departure from his homeland.
“You will be required to move your office to a new section created specifically for this task. Your total cooperation is essential to the successful cultivation of Albert Seda. Should you succeed, there will be rewards commensurate with the benefits achieved by your section.”
General Sudomo paused ensuring the importance of his words had been absorbed, then continued. “You are to report directly to me. There is to be a minimum of written communications between your section and others. You will be assisted by two of our former military attaché staff.