Literati Writing History: Mochtar Lubis' Thoughts on History, Development, and Significance in Post-Colonial Indonesia

Abstract

Mochtar Lubis, a prominent Indonesian writer and journalist, highlighted humanitarian concerns through his works amid Indonesia's unstable post-independence political and social conditions, shaping his stance on humanity, where corruption, injustice, and lingering colonial mentalities eroded individual moral integrity and freedom. This research analyzes Mochtar's significant work, Indonesia: Land under the Rainbow (written in Dutch in 1971 and translated into English in 1987), composed after his release from prison (1965–1971) for political subversion under the New Order regime, and during his invitation to the Netherlands for a writing program—this book introduces Indonesian history from feudal times to the contemporary era. Mochtar’s interpretation corrects colonial misconceptions while critiquing nationalist narratives silent on authoritarianism during the Old and New Orders. The study employs qualitative analysis with an intellectual history framework from Johan Huizinga and Howard Zinn; Huizinga emphasized intellectuals' ethical stances, while Zinn interrogated history's politics through power dynamics. By analyzing Mochtar's works, it views literature as a historical source and assesses how writers like him provide alternative perspectives. He challenges romanticized traditions and elite-driven stories, exposing Javanese aristocracy's manipulation to sustain authoritarianism and inequality, and highlighting lessons like self-restraint against colonial greed—relevant to today's environmental challenges. His thought offers a skeptical humanist view of post-colonial power, urging reflection on literature's role in building historical and ethical consciousness in Indonesia.