Agus Salim

        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.