| President of the Republic of Indonesia Date of Birth: 06.06.1901 Country: Indonesia |
Sukarno, born as Kusno on June 6, 1901, in Surabaya, Java, was destined to lead Indonesia to independence. His Javanese parents believed that his birth at sunrise in the Year of the Ox marked him as a chosen one.
His father, worried about his weak health, renamed him "Karno," after the legendary warrior from the Mahabharata epic. The prefix "Su" (meaning "best" or "good") was added to his name to further enhance his destiny.
Sukarno spent his formative years at the "cradle of nationalism," the home of Islamic leader Chokroaminoto. He left home to pursue higher education at one of East Java's elite schools, where he embraced nationalism, Islam, and Marxism.
Sukarno recognized the need to unify the fragmented liberation movement that encompassed nationalism, Islamism, and Marxism. He declared in 1926, "The ship that will lead us to a free Indonesia is the ship of unity."
Sukarno consolidated his power by establishing the PNI in 1927. The PNI claimed to represent the interests of the common people and advocated for Indonesia's independence.
During World War II, Japan promised independence to Indonesia in exchange for cooperation. Sukarno accepted this compromise, believing it was a stepping stone toward his ultimate goal.
Three days after Japan's surrender in 1945, Sukarno and his allies declared Indonesia's independence. He was elected as the country's first president, enjoying vast executive and legislative powers.
Sukarno gradually concentrated power in his own hands. He dismissed the opposition and dissolved parliament in 1957, citing a need for "guided democracy."
Sukarno introduced a unique brand of socialism that blended elements from the US Declaration of Independence, Islam, Marxism, and Javanese traditions. In 1963, he was appointed president for life.
Sukarno's authoritarian rule and economic mismanagement led to widespread discontent and instability. In the mid-1960s, the country experienced severe inflation and a decline in living standards.
In 1965, an attempted coup by a leftist group accused Sukarno of communist sympathies. The army intervened, leading to a bloody crackdown and Sukarno's downfall.
Sukarno was stripped of his presidential powers in 1966 and placed under house arrest. He attempted to resist, but his appeals were met with silence.
Sukarno was accused of corruption and mismanagement, but he was never prosecuted. The military believed that putting him on trial would be tantamount to putting the entire nation on trial.
Sukarno's health deteriorated in his later years, and he died on July 21, 1970. His legacy remains complex and controversial, with some praising his nationalistic fervor while others criticize his authoritarian rule.