Teuku Markam Gold Contributor to Monas
Markam is a businessman who is close to Sukarno and is mentioned as a contributor of 28 kg of gold for Monas. In the giant monument-shaped Lingga-Yoni named National Monument (Monas), the most tempting of the building is shoot-shaped flame and made of gold. Origin of gold, as many called in cyberspace, supposedly derived from an Acehnese businessman named Markam. He was a wealthy businessman in the Sukarno era. True or not the matter of gold from Markam, he still interesting figure in the history of Indonesia.
The man who was born in Panton Labu, North Aceh, March 12, 1924, did not get to graduate from elementary school. Mark only school to fifth grade. He was a stubborn child and rarely went to school when he was a boy. "At least twice a week," I Marked in the book What and Who Some Indonesians 1983-1984 (1984: 473).
Her father worries Western-style formal school will make the child a kafir. In the book, Markam admitted to enter Heiho (army helper) in Japanese times and can rank the equivalent of a second lieutenant. He also claimed he was stationed in Manila, Philippines.
Read also: PETA Army is a Paid Paramiliter
When the Proclamation of 17 August 1945 was read, Markam was in Singapore. "From there I smuggled weapons into Pekanbaru, for the struggle," said Markam (p. 473).
As a former Heiho, he is considered to have military experience. As a smuggler for the interests of the Republic, Markam was given the military rank. In times of revolution, a man like himself could be a lieutenant, not even a graduate from elementary school.
He continued to serve in the military at least after the Dutch left in 1950. His rank had been captained in the 1950s with NRP 12276. He left the army after a row with his top boss. Markam reported to Colonel Gatot Subroto to quit in 1957 because he did not have to continue to salute the major.
Out of military service, Markam also plunge into the business world. He established a leather factory called Karkam, stands for Leather Aceh Raya Captain Markam, and was involved in the transfer project of the provincial capital of Riau from Tanjung Pinang to Pekanbaru. His name soared as an entrepreneur close to President Sukarno. In this case, he is similar to the more senior businessman, Agoes Moesin Dasaad.
Also read: Agoes Moesin Dasaad, Walking Wallet Bung Karno
The Fate of Apes After Sukarno Tumbang
From the lesser known, Markam then sohor in the Jakarta jetset. "Markam is an unknown Lieutenant, who founded the firm Karkam," wrote Masashi Nishihara in Sukarno, Ratna Sari Dewi and War Rematch (1994: 204).
His wealth jumped rapidly in three years. The surge was derived from the exclusive right of exporting rubber to Malaysia and Singapore during the confrontation.
"His face is well known at parties held at Sukarno Palace and is a generous auction participant in a closed auction held at the palace," wrote Nishihara (pp. 204-205).
When Mother Earth "got pregnant" in 1965, Markam sprayed the project from the President. "In March 1965, he met Sukarno, who as Commander of the High Command of Economic Operations endorsed Markam's import of a large number of Nissan jeeps, spare parts, Asano cement from Japan," continued Nishihara (pp. 204-205).