Bung Karno: Proclamator and Indonesian Muslim Leader, Says Din Syamsuddin

Former Chairman of PP Muhammadiyah, Din Syamsuddin, emphasized the continued international admiration for Bung Karno, Indonesia's first president and a key figure in the nation's history. Syamsuddin noted that Bung Karno is recognized not only as a proklamator but also as a significant leader for Indonesian Muslims and a globally respected figure, evidenced by a street named after him in Cairo.

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Bung Karno is undeniable, besides being a proklamator, he is also a figure of Indonesian Muslims, even a figure admired by the international world. I have been to Cairo, Egypt, and there is a street named Ahmad Sukarno.

Syamsuddin called upon the Baitul Muslimin Indonesia (Bamusi), the Islamic wing of the PDI Perjuangan party, to follow Bung Karno's example by initiating dialogues among various Islamic mass organizations to discuss Indonesia's current condition. He urged Bamusi to be a driving force for these discussions, fostering unity and continuing Bung Karno's legacy as a "solidarity maker" who united a multicultural Indonesia across religious, ethnic, and group lines.

Drawing a parallel to Bung Karno's principles, Syamsuddin, a Political Science professor, advised that input from Islamic organizations is crucial for President Prabowo Subianto's administration. He specifically questioned Indonesia's potential involvement in the US-formed Board of Peace (BoP), arguing that such an organization is unnecessary for Palestine and contradicts Bung Karno's stance on unconditional support for Palestinian independence, which he viewed as a fundamental right for all nations.

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Bamusi, as an Islamic wing organization of PDI Perjuangan, should capture and continue Bung Karno's teachings in the form of fire, not dust.

Syamsuddin further elaborated on Bung Karno's multifaceted legacy, identifying three additional key attributes: his persistent integration of national and religious (particularly Islamic) perspectives, his ability to build relationships with national figures across different schools of thought, and his consistent promotion of the 'Tri Sakti' concept. These qualities, Syamsuddin suggested, offer a valuable roadmap for contemporary Indonesian leadership.

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If Bung Karno were still alive, he certainly would not agree to Indonesia joining the BoP. Bung Karno's blood is unconditional independence for Palestine because independence is the right of all nations.