22 Facts About Muchtar Pakpahan

Muchtar Pakpahan was an Indonesian labor leader who founded the first independent trade union in Indonesia.

Muchtar Pakpahan's father was a farm laborer and a member of the Peasants Front of Indonesia.

Muchtar Pakpahan's father died when he was eleven years old, while his mother died when he was eighteen years old.

However, according to Muchtar Pakpahan, he decided to move into the law faculty following the Malari incident.

Muchtar Pakpahan stated that he was inspired by activists, such as Hariman Siregar, Muslim Tampubolon, Nelson Parapat, and Sufri Helmi Tanjung, who were highly involved in the movement.

Muchtar Pakpahan became a member of the student senate of his university and became a board member of the Medan branch of the Indonesian Christian Student Movement.

Muchtar Pakpahan was a faculty member and law professor at Indonesia Christian University.

Muchtar Pakpahan rarely won the cases when defending them, due to the intimidation directed at him including accusations that he was a communist.

On 3 February 1994, Muchtar Pakpahan delivered a public letter to the Minister of Labor at that time, Abdul Latief, and put forward four demands regarding labor welfare.

Muchtar Pakpahan doubted whether the workers would comply with Pakpahan's invitation to conduct a workers' strike.

Muchtar Pakpahan was arrested after attending an SBSI event, in which the police found folders containing posters relating to the strike.

Muchtar Pakpahan's arrest was criticized by Amnesty International, Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, Human Rights Defenders Institute, Infight, and Women's Solidarity.

Muchtar Pakpahan's arrest was eventually canceled after a month of investigation on 12 February 1994.

Muchtar Pakpahan's trial was observed by Guy Ryder, who was sent by International Confederation of Free Trade Unions.

Muchtar Pakpahan was deemed guilty and was sentenced to jail for three years.

Muchtar Pakpahan's arrest was criticized by the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, who stated that the state misused criminal codes on social political affairs.

Muchtar Pakpahan created about 25 songs and poems with themes varying from political situations at that time to religion.

The Supreme Court of Indonesia on 29 September 1995 decided that Muchtar Pakpahan was innocent, therefore freeing him unconditionally.

Muchtar Pakpahan was married to Rosintan Marpaung, a teacher from the state high school in Jakarta and the daughter of Nicolaus Marpaung, a retired policeman, and Maria Pasaribu.

Muchtar Pakpahan had one sister, Nelly, and three brothers, Borotan Hatigoran, Bona Barita, and Batu Sonang.

Muchtar Pakpahan died of cancer on 21 March 2021 in Siloam Hospital, Jakarta, at the age of 67.

Muchtar Pakpahan was a Protestant and affiliated with Batak Christian Protestant Church.