Dinner with Dewi Sukarno

I didn’t expect her to accept my casual invitation for a bite to eat after our half-hour television interview in her stylish Tokyo home. But the former First Lady of Indonesia was quick with her response:

“OK, what time will you pick me up?”

Dewi Soekarno wastes no time and plainly speaks her mind.

I had gone to Japan specifically to talk with Ibu Dewi about her life and the legacy she will leave. The former Naoko Nemoto returned to live in the land of her birth eight years ago after residing in Paris, Jakarta and New York.

She’s 68 years old, but looks 20 years younger. She is immaculate in serious designer clothes. Her manner is anything like the grandmother she is.

The interview itself that ran on my Metro TV program was one of the most fascinating I’ve ever done. The woman Japanese call “Dewi Fujin” was at her blunt, charming best. Here are some of the more memorable excerpts of the recollections of Ratna Sari Dewi Soekarno:

WHY SHE WASN’T SAD AT THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT SOEHARTO

“He did not treat Bapak (Sukarno) well. Bapak died in despair after three years of isolation and humiliation. He was not even allowed to see the family. I was not even allowed to see him for three years.

“The coffin they sent was too small and his body was not able to be put in. The soldier was just pushing Bapak’s head … into the coffin and I was really so angry. I can never forgive (Soeharto) for that.”

ON HUMILIATING TIMES AFTER HER HUSBAND’S DEATH

“Nobody really wanted to associate with the name ‘Sukarno’. Nobody really wanted to give a hand.”

WOULD HER STEPDAUGHTER BE A BETTER PRESIDENT IN 2009?

“I think Megawati could be a good president now after her first experience as president. I’m sure she learned a lot. I think she might know now what really is required and what people hope from her. So I guess she could be a good president now but I think Indonesia is (still) very difficult for a woman to run.”

WHY SHE NEVER REMARRIED

“My respect for Bapak was such that whomever I have in front of me obviously I must compare (with him) and no greater person exists.”

WHAT HER LEGACY WILL BE

“I have made a lot of mistakes, of course, but it’s (been) a great experience and I learned a lot from (life). I have lived every day with pride and I’m content.

“When I just got married to President Sukarno, I said to myself I would like to be someone who never existed before in history. There are only three famous Japanese ladies after (World War II). One is Princess Michiko (and) today she’s empress. And myself. And there is one more. Yoko Ono.”

The interview done, I headed back to my hotel to freshen up before our dinner date. I had previously arranged a reunion get-together with former colleagues from the public broadcaster NHK. I hoped they wouldn’t be intimidated by my unannounced guest.

I kept the taxi waiting outside as I knocked on Dewi’s door for pickup.

“Oh, you can’t come in? I have champagne waiting,” said the gracious Indonesian citizen, dressed in a new designer outfit.

The cliche “jaws dropped” definitely applied when we entered the trendy Shibuya restaurant together. I explained we had just finished an interview. And that we both were hungry. And thirsty.

There was only a brief moment of awkwardness. Then the First Lady began holding court, telling personal stories and offering real-life advice.

My friends, particularly the career women, were mesmerized.

“I had thought that she would be more like Imelda (Marcos) of the Philippines. But she was easy to talk to and blended with our group,” programming executive Mari said later.

“My impression of Dewi Fujin? Inspiring, intriguing, sophisticated, fun, classy, full of life, hard working, sincere, honest, kind and caring, true to her feelings (and) believes in human equality,” said colleague Miki. “I’d like to know her more.”

“I simply thought that she is a strong woman,” offered former producer Misa, now a multinational corporate director.

“I also wished that I had the same luck as her to meet someone about whom I could say that no one could be better!”

Some pasta and several bottles of red wine later, it was time for all to say goodbye.

As I dropped Dewi off at her home, she mentioned that she was already planning a big celebration for her 70^th birthday.

If I’m invited, I’ll be there early. I don’t want to miss anything.

Hawaii native Dalton Tanonaka is the co-anchor of Metro TV’s "Indonesia Now" program, seen on Saturday mornings at 7 a.m. and Sundays at 1 a.m. He can be reached at dalton@metrotvnews.com.

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