Abdurrahman Baswedan

Independence Fighter

AR Baswedan was a rebel of his age. In August 1934, Semarang based daily newspaper “Matahari” published his provoking article on Indonesians of Arab descent, calling them to unite in supporting Indonesia’s independence. AR Baswedan himself is an Arab descent, but he spoke with strong East Javanese accent. He was calling Arab descents living in Indonesia –as himself- to adhere ius soli principle: "where I born, there my motherland is." His picture on the article conveyed the message strongly as he was posed with a blangkon (Javanese traditional hat).

On 4 October 1934, after the publication of the controversial article, he gathered Arab descents in Semarang. In that congress, they declared Arab Descent Indonesian Youth Pledge which proclaimed Indonesia as their motherland and their commitment to support the fight for Indonesia’s Independence. In repercussion to the congress, Indonesian Arab Party (Partai Arab Indonesia, PAI) was established and AR Baswedan was elected as its Chairman. This signed his entrance to politics. To focus on the political struggle, he left his well-paid job in Matahari daily newspaper (120 gulden –worth 24 quintal of rice). "For the struggle," he said.

Journalism

He was indeed a tough journalist who worked not for money. His decision to leave Matahari was not the only display of his commitment. He moved from Sin Tit Po Newspaper which paid him 75 gulden to dr. Soetomo’s Soeara Oemoem which only able to pay him 10-15 gulden. For his exemplary character, Soebagio IN put him in the list of 111 Indonesia’s national press pioneers.

As a patriot-journalist, Baswedan wrote actively. He was widely known as a writer, poet, and artist. His speech was attractive and he was also an expert in drama art. Apart from Bahasa Indonesia, he mastered Arabic, English, and Dutch languages. Some of his published books are Debat Sekeliling PAI (Debates Surrounding Indonesian Arab Party, 1939), Sumpah Pemuda Indonesia Keturunan Arab (Youth Pledge of Arab Indonesians, 1934), and Rumah Tangga Rasulullah (The Prophet’s Household, 1940). He also wrote a five-stage drama story titled Menuju Masyarakat Baru (Toward a New Society). Other than his own publications, his ideas and visions were published by the secretary general of PAI, Salim Maskati.

Diplomat

His struggle continued in the new Republic. Together with Haji Agus Salim (Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs), Rasyidi (Secretary General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs), Mohammad Natsir and St. Pamuncak, AR Baswedan departed to Arab countries as Indonesia’s first diplomatic delegation. The delegation gained historical success. Egypt was becoming one of the first countries to give de facto and de jure recognition to the Republic. This diplomatic success, after long negotiation in the Arab League, was soon followed by recognition by other countries.

Personal life

Baswedan was an Arab Indonesian, a Muwallad of Hadhrami descent from a non-Sayyid family. He received his early education at Madrasah Al-Khairiyah near Ampel Mosque in Surabaya, later continued his education under Sheikh Ahmad Surkati at the al-Irshad school in Batavia. Not finished at al-Irshad, he went back to Surabaya to be close with his father and studied with Sayyid Ahmad bin Hashim at the Hadhramaut School in Surabaya, where pro-sayyid practices such as taqbil was maintained. He became active at al-Irshad in Surabaya in the late 1920s, but resigned from his executive position of its Youth wing in June 1930

As a child, he and his muwallad friends used to tease the Totok Arabs (Wulaytis) in the street. In Baswedan's view, the social distance between Wulayti and Muwallad groups was a result of differing conditions of their respective places of birth.

AR Baswedan married to Sjaichun. In 1948, Sjaichun died in Surakarta because of Malaria. In 1950, AR Baswedan married to Barkah Ganis, a prominent women activist. The wedding took place in the house of KH Ahmad Dahlan in Yogyakarta. Muhammad Natsir was acting as the legal guardian (wali). AR Baswedan had 11 children and 45 grandchildren.

In February 1986, AR Baswedan finished his draft for his autobiography in Jakarta. Two weeks later, his health condition deteriorated. On 16 March 1986, AR Baswedan died and was laid to rest in Tanah Kusir Cemetery, among Indonesian National heroes who were rejecting to be buried in the Cemetery of Heroes.

One of AR Baswedan’s legacies was his book collection of more than 5000 books. As his will, the front room of his house in Yogyakarta was converted into a public library with his book collection in various languages (Arab, Dutch, English, Indonesia) were on display, arranged well with a modern catalogue. General public, particularly students, can easily access these books.

Throughout his life, AR Baswedan was actively engaging the youth. Some youth figures known to be close with him were Ahmad Wahib, Anhar Gonggong, Emha Ainun Najib, Gunawan Mohamad, Lukman Hakiem (PPP), Syu’bah Asa, Taufiq Effendi, WS Rendra, and most of the young activists during the 1960s to 1980s.

AR Baswedan was a humble fighter who never thinks about material gains. Until his last day, AR Baswedan did not even own any house. He and his family were living in a borrowed house in Taman Yuwono complex in Yogyakarta, a complex which was lent by Haji Bilal for the freedom fighters when Yogyakarta was Indonesia’s capital. His car was a gift from his friend Adam Malik (when he was Vice President) for his 72nd birthday.