Today's History, November 3, 1944: The Birth Of President Soekarno's First Son, Guntur Soekarnoputra

Guntur Soekarnoputra was greeted by the US President, Dwight Eisenhower, witnessed by US Vice President, Richard Nixon (leftmost) when President Soekarno visited the US in 1956. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA – Today's history, 78 years ago, on November 3, 1944, the first son of President Soekarno and Fatmawati was born. Guntur Soekarnoputra, his name. Bung Karno was so happy. Moreover, he had longed for the presence of a son from a long time ago.

Previously, Soekarno was married to Inggit Garnasih. However, Inggit was unable to give Sukarno a descendant. The two agreed to separate. The separation made Bung Karno immediately knit a new dream of having a son from Fatmawati. His dream came true.

Soekarno and Fatmawati's meeting in Bengkulu was full of dynamics. Bung Karno had made Fatmawati his adopted daughter. He spent a lot of time with Fatmawati. Bung Karno can transform into everything. Parents, sports coaches, discussion partners, to teachers.

He often taught Fatmawati many things, including the spirit of anti-colonialism. However, over time the seeds of love came to both of them. All because Fatmawati grew up to be a charming person.

Soekarno immediately expressed his feelings to Fatmawati. The heart-to-heart talk made Fatmawati melt. Soekarno's behavior was immediately recognized by his wife, Inggit Garnasih. However, Inggit realized that she was unable to give Bung Karno a child.

Guntur Soekarnoputra while following his father, President Soekarno's visit to the United States in 1956. (Wikimedia Commons)

Inggit did not forbid Bung Karno's desire to marry Fatmawati. However, Inggit asked Bung Karno to divorce her first. Bung Karno's wish was granted.

“You know, Fatma, I am confused about answering my mother's questions in Blitar, she repeatedly wrote to me when she was given a grandson. I'm in exile. You're the only one to be my consolation. If I'm in Jakarta I can negotiate with Moh. Husni Thamrin or Mr. Sartono and others. Who will own those books you saw in my room?”

"I want one son, just one, if more, thank God. I am a leader of the people who want to liberate their people from the Netherlands, but I don't think I can continue if you don't wait and accompany me. You are the light of my life to continue the great and terrible struggle," said Soekarno, written by Fatmawati in the book Catatan Kecil Bersama Bung Karno (2016).

Soekarno also married Fatmawati in June 1943. Not long after, Fatmawati became pregnant. Soekarno was so happy. He then told his mother, father, and brother. Bung Karno's entire family immediately came to Jakarta from Blitar.

Guntur Soekarnoputra sat between his father and US President, Dwight Eisenhower. (Wikimedia Commons)

The pinnacle of being loved by scholars arrived. Signs of the birth of his first child were seen on November 3, 1944. Bung Karno called a doctor to his house. Finally, Bung Karno and Fatmawati's first son was born. Guntur Soekarnoputra, his name.

“On the night Fatma will give birth we entertain important guests - Japanese and Indonesians. Fatmawati was busy serving as a hostess, but then she started to feel sick. I myself led her to the room and called the doctor. From then on I remained by her side, not sleeping for a moment until she gave me this priceless son. I sat on the bed beside her, holding her hand while she gave birth."

"I'm not a person who can stand the sight of blood, but when the human of my dreams was made, this was the most beautiful moment of my entire life. At five o'clock in the morning, when I heard the call to prayer from the mosque calling people to worship their God, my first child, Guntur Sukarnoputra, was born," explained Bung Karno in the book Bung Karno: Penyambung Lidah Rakyat Indonesia (1965).