The Timor Man (5 page)

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. They are former Siliwangi division soldiers and completely loyal to me.
” Seda understood immediately that these two would be the general's watchdogs.

“
You are expected to initiate a rapprochement with your brother within the month.
” The General hesitated before continuing. “
You are being given a position of complete trust. I suggest you go home and consider these things before reporting to this office for further details tomorrow morning.
”

Stunned by the sudden change in events and his new instructions, Seda wanted to say something but wasn't quite sure what would be appropriate. He paused for a moment before replying.

“
Terima kasih, Pak ‘Domo
.” Seda knew that there was really nothing left to say. He had been dismissed. Standing to attention he saluted and turned to leave.

“
Kolonel
!” the General called.

Seda turned and his heart sank as he recognised the envelope in the General's hand. It was a letter he had forwarded for Albert some time before. His world began to fragment before his eyes.

The General flicked it across the room towards him. “
No more secrets, Kolonel, do you understand?
”

Seda retrieved the envelope. The contents were missing. He nodded again, dumbly, saluted and fled.

The General sat motionless considering the Timorese Colonel. Convinced that he had made the correct decision he buzzed his adjutant.

“
Bapak
?” responded the Lieutenant. “
Call Mas Suryo dan Mas Wiryo
,” the General ordered. Immediately, the Lieutenant set about advising the former Military Attachés that the General had demanded their presence. Having completed his calls the young adjutant shuddered involuntarily. He had seen these two watchdogs in action once before.

And they scared the hell out of him.

      
 
Albert Seda and Stephen Coleman — April 1965

  

“
Java soldiers, go home! Java soldiers, go home!
” Albert chanted as he marched alongside his friends. “
Come on Didi
,” he called to a classmate who was struggling to carry a poorly inscribed placard as they were jostled. “
Give it to me. I'll carry it for you.
”

“
We'll carry it together,
” his friend responded, moving closer to Albert while raising the sign above the heads of the others.

They continued with the chant and soon their numbers swelled as hundreds of senior school students joined in the demonstration and headed towards the mayor's office.

“
Java soldiers, go home! Java soldiers, go home!
” the crowd yelled in unison as they boldly took their positions directly outside the military official's building. Their spirits were high. They were enjoying the moment and the thrill of challenging the Jakarta officials.

As they continued to chant and call for the Mayor to show his face, the students failed to notice the soldiers move quickly into position. One of the boys threw a rock through the Mayor's front window and within moments others followed with a hail of missiles they had picked up off the road.

A volley of shots cracked through the air over the demonstrator's heads sending the students into a frenzied panic as they broke ranks and ran, knowing that their lives were in danger. A squad of soldiers trained in riot control moved forward quickly with their rifles held out directly in front, the deadly bayonets fixed alongside the muzzle of their weapons. As they were confronted by the mass of youngsters who pushed each other in their attempts to flee, the sharp blades glistened brightly as they moved savagely from side to side cutting through flesh and cloth amidst the screams and cries of disbelief.

When he first heard the shots, Father Douglas was uncertain but when these were followed by the frightening screams which pierced the tranquillity of his small church, the priest knew for certain that the rumours had become fact. The students were demonstrating.

Immediately he feared for them all and crossed himself quickly. They were just children. Foolish children at that, forever challenging the authority of their new colonialists, the Javanese. Father Douglas rose quickly from his knees and ran to the church's side entrance. He opened the heavy teak doors and peered cautiously towards the main street and the incredible noise. He was stunned by the scene before him.

It was as if the streets were engulfed by white, breaking waves as the mass of students ran hysterically, yelling and screaming as they fled from the barrage of bullets and soldiers' bayonets. Two of the youngsters ran towards the church. Suddenly, the staccato sound of automatic fire hammered at his ears and both the students fell to the ground. Father Douglas closed and bolted the church doors.

 

Albert Seda had not, at first, been as fortunate as his young stepbrother, Nathan. Bitter since childhood at the injustices that the Javanese soldiers had inflicted on the Timorese, Albert spent considerable time in the company of priests at the local Catholic church. Early on, Father Douglas identified the young man's ability as a student and coached him, helping Albert become fluent in English.

The priest's hopes that Albert might even enter the priesthood were dashed when Albert, involved in the student rally, found himself incarcerated by the local garrison commander on charges of sedition.