Our Hero

Agus Salim 

Hello everyone! This time i will tell you about the hero of Indonesia that is Agus Salim. His birth name was Musyudul Haq which means "The Defender of Truth". As the name implies he is a warrior who always defends the truth. He was born in Gadang City, Agam, West Sumatera on 8 August 1884. He was the fourth child of Sultan Muhammad Salim and Siti Zainab. His father was a prosecutor in Riau High Court and once received the highest civilian medal from Queen Wilhelmina.

Agus Salim attended elementary school at Europeesche Lagere School (ELS), a special school of European children, then proceeded to Hoogere Burgerschool (HBS) in Batavia. When he graduated, he managed to become the best graduate in HBS in the Netherlands East Indies. As a student, we must be diligent in reading books to add insight and knowledge. 

Agus Salim hopes the government will grant the scholarship to continue medical school in the Netherlands. But the petition was rejected. He broke the charcoal. But, his intelligence attracted the attention of Kartini, son of Jepara Regent. Then, Kartini recommends Agus Salim to replace her leaving for Holland, because of her marriage and Javanese custom which does not allow a high school daughter. This is done by transferring a scholarship of 4,800 guilders from the government to Agus Salim. The government finally agreed. But Agus Salim refused. He thought the gift was due to other people's suggestions, not out of respect for his intelligence and work. 

In addition, Agus Salim is a hard worker. After graduating, he worked as a translator and notary assistant at a mining joint in Indragiri. In 1906, he left to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to work for the Dutch Consulate there. In this period Salim studied at Sheikh Ahmas Khatib, who was still his uncle. Coming home from Jeddah, he founded the HIS School (Hollandsche Inlandsche School), and then entered the world of the national movement.

Salim then went into journalism since 1915 in Neratja Daily as Editor II. After that he was appointed Editor in Chief. His activities in the field of journalism continues until finally became Daily Leader of the Indies Baroe in Jakarta. Then set up the Fadjar Asia newspaper. And then as the Daily Editor of Moestika in Yogyakarta and opened the Office of Advies en Informatie Bureau of Penerangan Oemoem (AIPO).  

Agus Salim's political career started in SI, joined HOS Tjokroaminoto and Abdul Muis in 915. When the two men resigned from the Volksraad as SI representatives due to their disappointment with the Dutch government, Agus Salim replaced them for four years (1921-1924) at the institute that. But, like his predecessor, he feels the "inside" struggle has no benefit. He came out of the Volksraad and concentrated on SI.

In 1923, seeds of division began to arise in the SI. Semaun and his friends wanted the SI to be a left-leaning organization, while Agus Salim and Tjokroaminoto rejected it. Finally SI split in two: Semaun formed Sarekat Rakyat which later turned into PKI, while Agus Salim remained in SI. He was once suspected of his colleagues as spies for having worked for the government. Moreover, he was never arrested and imprisoned like Tjokroaminoto. But, some of Agus Salim's writings and speeches that offended the government broke the charges. He even succeeded Tjokroaminoto's position as chairman after the founder of SI died in 1934. 

Besides being a SI figure, Agus Salim is also one of the founders of Jong Islamieten Bond. Here he makes a breakthrough to melt a rigid religious doctrine. In the 2nd Congress of Jong Islamieten Bond in Yogyakarta in 1927, Agus Salim with the approval of Jong Islamieten Bond board unites the seats of women and men. This is different from the previous two years congress separated by the veil; women in the back, men in front. "Islamic teachings and spirits pioneered the emancipation of women," he said.

Agus Salim was a member of the Panitia Persiapan Kemerdekaan Indonesia (PPKI) at the end of Japanese rule. When Indonesia became independent, he was appointed a member of the Supreme Advisory Council.

Agus Salim is a diligent and smart person. At a young age, he has mastered at least seven foreign languages; Dutch, English, Arabic, Turkish, French, Japanese, and German. Among the years 1946-1950 he was like a brilliant star in the political turmoil of Indonesia, so often dubbed "The Great Old Man" (The Grand Old Man). He also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia in the Presidential cabinet and in 1950 until the end of his life was trusted as an advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In 1952, Haji Agus Salim served as Chairman of the PWI Honorary Board. It became the closing career in the world of political arena. He turned to spend his old age as a book author. The book that has appeared from his hand titled "How Fate, Tawakal and Tauchid Must Be Undestood". The book was later revised to "A Description of Philosophy about Tauchid, Destiny, and Tawakal". 

His persistent attitude in fighting for Indonesian independence should be our example. We shouldn't be afraid to defend the truth.