Ir.
Soekarno
Orientation
Soekarno is one of the most important figures in Indonesian history. Soekarno was born on
June 6, 1901 in Surabaya, East Java, and died on June 21, 1970 in Jakarta. Soekarno had an
important role in Indonesian independence, namely as the proclaimer of Indonesian
independence and the first president of Indonesia.
Event
Soekarno was born to Raden Soekemi Sosrodihardjo and Ida Ayu Nyoman Rai on June 6,
1901. His father was a Javanese elementary school teacher and his mother was the daughter
of a Balinese aristocratic family. Soekarno was the third child of four siblings. Soekarno's
childhood lived with his grandfather, Raden Hardjokromo in Tulungagung, East Java.
Furthermore Soekarno entered elementary school at Eerste Inlandse School in Mojokerto and
in 1911, Soekarno moved to Europeesche Lagere School.
Soekarno began to be active in the world of politics since living in Surabaya. His thinking
was influenced by H.O.S Cokroaminoto and comrades in arms such as Alimin, Musso,
Darsono, Haji Agus Salim and Abdul Muis. Young Soekarno was also active in the Tri Koro
Dharmo organization and wrote articles in the Oetoesan Indies daily. During his education at
THS with the founding of the Algemene Study Club in 1926 which later became the
forerunner of the PNI. In 1929, because of his political activities, Sukarno was arrested and
exiled to Ende, Flores, because he was considered involved in the nationalist movement
which was considered to have damaged colonial order. During his exile, Sukarno wrote many
essays and speeches that inspired the Indonesian independence movement.
In 1930, Sukarno was transferred to Sukamiskin prison. Soekarno was released from prison
after reading out his plea titled Indonesia Complains before the Dutch East Indies
government, members of the PNI and the general public. Sukarno was released from
detention in 1942. At first, Soekarno supported the arrival of the Japanese. The policy of
establishing organizations such as the Jawa Hokokai, the Center for People's Power (Putera),
BPUPKI and PPKI became the influence of Japan to invite nationalists to join.
During the independence period, Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta proclaimed independence
as a form of releasing Indonesia from the shackles of colonialism. He was appointed as
Indonesia's first president and led Indonesia until 1967. During his reign, Soekarno fought for
Indonesia's independence and sovereignty. During his tenure as president, Soekarno had
many achievements in the international world. Some of the successes achieved were the
success of the Asian-African Conference (KAA), the establishment of the Non-Aligned
Movement (NAM) and diplomatic relations with big countries such as the Soviet Union and
China.
In the period 1963 to 1966, Soekarno fueled tensions with Malaysia on the grounds that he
did not approve of the merger of the Federation of Malaya which consisted of Malaysia,
Singapore and the British royal colony.
Reorientation
In 1965 the G30S incident occurred which became the beginning of the decline of Soekarno's
leadership. As a result of the G30S, Indonesia's condition was unstable which required
Soekarno to act to issue a March Eleventh Order (Supersemar). It was from this letter that the
leadership mandate then shifted to Suharto until officially in 1967 President Soekarno was
replaced by Suharto. He died on June 21, 1970 in Jakarta and was buried in Blitar, East Java.
