MUHAMMADIYAH.ID, SLEMAN – Indonesian people have been familiar with Ki Bagus Hadikusumo. His contribution to the independence of Indonesia was obvious. He was engaged in formulating the principle of Indonesia, Pancasila. He was named as a national hero. 

Professor of Universitas Muhammadiyah Suratkarta (UMS) Abdul Munir Mulkan informed that there were five Muhammadiyah leaders who involved in the state dynamics at the beginning of the independence. One of them was Ki Bagus Hadikusumo.

At a film launching and national seminar on ‘Jalan Juang Ki Bagus Hadikusumo untuk Muhammadiyah dan Bangsa’ (The Struggle of Ki Bagus Hadikusumo for Muhammadiyah and the Nation) at Hall Baroroh Barried of Universitas ‘Aisyiyah (Unisa), Yogyakarta on Saturday (30/11), Munir stated, “Some people argue whether Ki Bagus Hadikusumo was radical or moderate. We should read his history entirely so that we will not assume him a radical.”

When contending the independence of Indonesia, Ki Bagus Hadikusumo had agreed with a notion of Indonesia as an Islamic state, but he transformed to support Indonesia to be a republic.

“I noticed what Ki Bagus did was from an approach of Islamic-based state politics to a cultural approach. It inspired Ki Bagus to arrange the principles of Indonesia,” he maintained.

Meanwhile, General Chairman of Muhammadiyah 1998-2005 Ahmad Syafi’i Maarif told contributions of Ki Bagus Hadikusumo who was an educator, but did not have a degree certificate, and learned by himself.

“School is important, but a willingness to learn is much more vital. Indonesian people are now lack of reading. Reading is exhausting, but I read and write even though I am now 84 years old,” emphasized Syafi’i Maarif.

“Ki Bagus is a thinker. He expressed his ideas with high considerations,” he said.