Suara.com – The presidential candidate pair (capres) and vice presidential candidate (cawapres) Anies Baswedan and Muhaimin Iskandar are known as political figures with prominent family backgrounds.
Recently, the former Chairman of PBNU, Said Aqil Siradj, said that he hopes that the presidential and vice presidential candidate pair will win in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Moreover, Anies Baswedan himself is the grandson of national hero Abdurrahman Baswedan.
Said Aqil made this statement in his speech opening the ‘Santri Berselawat’ event at Tegalrejo Square, Magelang, Sunday (22/10) evening. Anies and Cak Imin attended the event along with dozens of other kiai.
“What I am proud of, God willing, will be the President of Indonesia in 2024, Professor Dr. Assayid Anies Baswedan, the grandson of national hero Abdurrahman Baswedan,” said Said Aqil, quoted by Suara.com, Monday (23/10/2023).
“Almukarrom whom I am proud of, a santri hero, my former neighbor, whom I respect, Dr. Gus Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar, God willing, Vice President for 2024-2029,” he continued.
In his speech, Said Aqil said that Abdurahman Baswedan’s role was to seek international support from countries in the Middle East region.
“Mr Anies Baswedan’s grandfather was a national hero. Those who were related went to the Middle East to seek support for Indonesian independence, to Palestine to meet Palestinian Mufti Amin Al Husaini, went to Egypt, to Saudi,” he said.
To get to know Abdurrahman Baswedan more deeply, here are the facts and profile as summarized by Suara.com.
1. Men with Arab blood
Abdurrahman Baswedan or popularly known as AR Baswedan is an Indonesian national hero who was born on 9 September 1908 in Surabaya to a family of Arab descent.
2. Profession as a journalist
In his time, Abdurrahman Baswedan was known as a brave journalist who did not work for money. Quoted from An Nur, he once left his job at the daily Matahari which paid him 120 guilders to join the Indonesian Arab Party (PAI) which he founded with other young people of Arab descent.
Abdurrahman Baswedan also moved from the Sin Tit Po newspaper which paid him 75 guilders to Dr. Soeara Oemoem. Soetomo was only able to pay him 10-15 guilders. He is one of the 111 pioneers of the Indonesian national press according to Soebagio IN.
In August 1934, the daily Matahari published Baswedan’s article about Arabs in Indonesia, inviting them to unite in support of Indonesian independence. In the article, a photo of Baswedan was displayed wearing a surjan and blangkon, as a symbol of his identity as an Indonesian citizen.
3. Fighting for Indonesian Independence
It was his persistent and brave nature that made Abdurrahman Baswedan not afraid to fight for national independence. In fact, he was detained by Japan during the occupation (1942) because of his activities which were considered to be disturbing Japanese interests. When Indonesia became independent, he played an important role in preparing the Peranakan Arab youth movement to fight against the Dutch
4. A Diplomat
Not only that, Abdurrahman Baswedan was one of the first Indonesian diplomats who succeeded in gaining international recognition for Indonesia. He was once assigned as President Soekarno’s special envoy to Middle Eastern countries, such as Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan to ask for support for Indonesian independence.
5. Become a Minister
During independence, Abdurrahman Baswedan was included in the cabinet, namely as Deputy Minister of Information for the Republic of Indonesia in the Sjahrir Cabinet. He was once part of the Central Indonesian National Committee Working Body (BP-KNIP), Member of Parliament, and Member of the Constituent Council.
6. End of Life
In 1986, Abdurrahman Baswedan’s health condition declined. He died on March 16, 1986. His body was buried at the Tanah Kusir Public Cemetery. For his services, Baswedan received the title of National Hero on November 8 2018.