Haji Agus Salim (Mashudul
Haq) was one of Indonesia's founding
fathers and prominent diplomats. He played a leading role in the creation of
the Indonesian constitution in 1945 and served as Indonesia's Foreign Minister
between 1947 and 1949.
Salim was born in Kota Gadang, Agam, West Sumatra to Sutan
Muhammad Salim, a court official, and Siti Zaenab on October 8, 1884. His
father was a prosecutor (called hoofd
djaksa) in Riau High Court and once received the highest civilian medal
from Queen Wilhelmina.
In 1915, he joined Sarekat Islam under Tjokroaminoto's
leadership and soon became second in command. Salim and Tjokroaminoto became
known as the Dwi Tunggal due to their
close cooperation. Salim later replaced Tjokroaminoto after Tjokroaminoto's
death in 1934.
Salim has been described as the "Grand Old Man of the
Indonesian Independence movement and veteran leader of Indonesian Islam".
Soekarno described him as a "intellectual ulama", a leader combining
Islamic science and Western teachings. Mohammad Hatta, called the Arabic de
jure recognition of Indonesian independence Salim's greatest contribution to
Indonesia.
Salim was also a member of the Indonesian
delegation to the United Nations Security Council session
at Lake Success, New York under
Prime Minister Syahrir. During his political career, he served as foreign
minister during Sjahrir II Cabinet, Sjahrir III Cabinet, Amir Sjarifuddin I Cabinet, Hatta I
Cabinet, and Hatta II
Cabinet.
Agus Salim died 27 days after his 70th birthday, on November
4, 1954. He then buried in Kalibata Heroes Cemetary in Jakarta, thus becoming
the first person to be interred there.
He was posthumously declared a National Hero of Indonesia in 1961. He also received the Satyalencana Peringatan Perjuangan Kemerdekaan on May 20, 1961 and the Bintang Mahaputera (level I) on August 17, 1960. One of the main roads in Jakarta is named after him.
