Devi Asmarani, Jakarta – Disillusioned Indonesians are paying tribute to one of the nation's forgotten heroes and founding fathers, the late Mohammad Hatta.

The media has been retelling the tale of his political struggle, strong leadership and modest lifestyle to mark his 100th birth anniversary which fell on August 12.

Analysts said the sudden mass adulation of the country's first vice-president, "Bung Hatta", who passed away in 1980, showed the nation's unhappiness with the current political leaders. Under the theme of "One century of Bung Hatta – wise, prudent, polite and humble", major publications have dedicated pages of coverage to him and local television stations have aired one-hour specials.

Special coins and stamps were also issued in honour of the man known to the younger generation as the "father of cooperatives". The title was bestowed by former president Suharto for his role in promoting "people"s economy' although many have argued that this reduced his role in history.

As The Jakarta Post noted in an editorial last week: "Bung Hatta was more than just the father of cooperatives. He was probably the epitome of Indonesian democracy who believed in the delicate, balanced combination of people's sovereignty and people's welfare." Mr Hatta was instrumental in the drafting of the 1945 Constitution, but more than his political achievements, his humble lifestyle has been the point of focus.

At a time when politicians make headlines for leading lavish lifestyles, stories about his inability to pay utility bills after he left office have generated admiration.

Economist Muhammad Chatib Basri said: "He is great not because of what he did but because of what he did not do, which is corruption." Explaining the reason for Mr Hatta's appeal today, Mr Franz Magnis-Suseno, a commentator, said: "At the time when the political elite is abusing democratic freedom to strengthen power and amass money, it is high time that we use the figure of Bung Hatta to guide us."

His credentials as a proponent of secularism, press freedom, decentralisation of power and the non-aligned foreign policy are well respected but what strikes a special chord with the people are his writings, which the Tempo magazine called the "most valuable contribution to the nation".

His observations seem relevant to the Indonesians coping with a host of problems.

In a 1960 essay published by the Pandji Masjarakat magazine, he wrote: "Everywhere people are unhappy, the development has not been as it should be. Prosperity is still far away and the value of the currency continues to drop.

"The development of democracy has been abandoned because of political struggles, the implementation of the regional autonomy is too sluggish, triggering turmoil in the regions. The military is not happy with the way the government is being run by parties." Shortly after it was published, the magazine and other publications running his writings were banned by then president Sukarno's administration.

Hatta:

• A founding father Mohammad Hatta was born on August 12, 1902, in West Sumatra. Defying his parents wish that he study religion, he went on to pursue higher studies in the Netherlands.
• Back in Indonesia, he headed the New Indonesian Nationalist Movement. He was exiled along with Mr Sukarno until the Japanese occupation in 1942.
• He helped draft the Constitution in 1945 and became vice-president to Mr Sukarno.