National Leader Wahid Hasyim Dies In History Today, April 19, 1953

Wahid Hasyim, a National figure who is the father of the 4th President of the Republic of Indonesia Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA History today, 72 years ago, April 19, 1953, the former Minister of Religion of Indonesia, Wahid Hasyim died. Car accidents are the cause. The departure of Abdurrahman Wahid's father (Gus Dur) brought sadness throughout the archipelago.

Previously, Wahid Hasyim had a big role for the Indonesian people. He has a role in compromise regarding the Pancasila narrative. He is also an important figure who presents the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag). A ministry that takes care of all religions.

No one doubts Wahid Hasyim's existence in the world of education. He was able to absorb the spirit of his father, the founder of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Hasyim Asy'ari, in educating the nation's children. Wahid was able to advance the NU-run pesantren.

He combines religious science and other general knowledge. Later Wahid Hasyim chose to join NU's political activities. This narrative made him active in Indonesia's struggle for independence during the colonial era.

This role made Wahid able to become an important part of Indonesia's history. He is listed as a member of the Investigation Agency for Preparatory Efforts for Indonesian Independence (BPUPKI) to become the Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence (PPKI).

Wahid Hasyim did not miss when Indonesia began to prepare Pancasila as the basis of the state. Wahid Hasyim is included in the Nineth Committee. He compromised in the formulation of Pancasila along with other big figures.

Among others, Soekarno, Mohammad Hatta, AA Maramis, Abikoesno Tjokrosoejoso, Abdul Kahar Moezakir, Agus Salim, Achmad Subardjo, and Mohammad Yamin. The results of Pancasila were successfully formulated by eliminating Indonesia's narrative as an Islamic state.

Wahid did not necessarily stop being involved in state affairs. He is also an important figure from the presence of the Ministry of Religion. He later became the first Minister of Religion (Menag). He began to formulate how the Minister of Religion must play a role for all religions, not only Islamic matters.

At that time it was expressly stated to groups that did not feel comfortable with the existence of the Ministry of Religion, namely from secular and non-Muslim groups by saying that the existence of the Ministry of Religion was not intended to enforce Islamic law as a basis, establish an Islamic state, or to serve the interests of Muslims alone, but to strengthen the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.

Dan mencapai tujuannya, yakni mewujudkan masyarakat yang adil dan semukerat. Wahid Hasyim menegaskan bahwa Kementerian Agama bukan kementerian bagi umat Islam saja, tetapi bagi semua penghidaan agama. Apa yang dilakukan Wahid Hasyim ternyata memiliki mereka yang meritik keberadaan kementerian Inu sehingga ia tetap bertahan, tutup Abbudin Nata dalam buku Pendidikan Islan Di Era Milenial(2020).

His work as an Islamic scholar did not necessarily fade when he finished serving as Ministry of Religion. He continues to be active in developing NU. Wahid is active in visiting NU sympathizers to various regions in the archipelago.

However, that activity had to end on April 18, 1953. The car he was traveling in while filling the NU event in Sumedang, West Java was an accident. The car contains four people -- Gus Dur, driver, Wahid Hasyim, and his best friend, Argo Sutjipto. Gus Dur and the driver survived and were not seriously injured.

Wahid Hasyim is different again. His condition was critical and was rushed to a hospital in Bandung. However, his life could not be saved. He died a day later on April 19, 1953. Wahid Hasyim's departure brought deep sorrow. Condolences arose from everywhere.

The accident occurred at around 01.00 in the afternoon, but the accident occurred when an ambulance from Bandung had just arrived at the scene at around 04.00 pm. Gus Dur sat on the side of the road waiting for his helpless father until the ambulance arrived. Finally, they were transported to the hospital in Bandung. Gus Dur did not sleep waiting for his father.

That night Wahid Hasyim's wife arrived at the hospital and waited for her husband with Gus Dur. At 10.30 the next morning, Wahid Hasyim was no longer able to survive and eventually died. A few hours later Argo Sutjipto also died. Wahid Hasyim, who is the hope figure of many Indonesians, has breathed his last. He died at the age of 38. While Gus Dur is only 12 years old," said Greg Barton in the book Biography Gus Dur (2003).