In memory of Indonesia First President Dr. Ir. Soekarno Dirgahayu Indonesia ke 64! Music: Rayuan Pulau Kelapa pps: by Oei Hui Kiat Singapore, End Aug. 2009 Click to advance

Sukarno, born Kusno Sosrodihardjo (6 June 1901 – 21 June 1970) was the first President of Indonesia. He helped the country win its independence from the Netherlands and was President from 1945 to 1967, presiding with mixed success over the country's turbulent transition to independence. Sukarno was forced out of power by one of his generals, Suharto, who formally became President in March 1967. The son of a Javanese primary school teacher, an aristocrat named Raden Soekemi Sosrodihardjo and his Balinese wife named Ida Ayu Nyoman Rai from Buleleng regency, Sukarno was born in Blitar, East Java in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). Following Javanese custom, he was renamed after a childhood illness. He was admitted into a Dutch-run school as a child. When his father sent him to Surabaya in 1916 to attend a secondary school, he met Tjokroaminoto, a future nationalist. In 1921 he began to study at the Technische Hogeschool (Technical Institute) in Bandung. He studied civil engineering and focused on architecture. Sukarno married Siti Utari circa 1920, and divorced her to marry Inggit Garnasih, who he divorced circa 1931 to marry Fatmawati. Without divorcing, Sukarno also married Hartini, and circa 1959 Dewi Sukarno. Other wives included Oetari, Kartini Manoppo, Ratna Sari, Haryati, Yurike Sanger, and Heldy Djafar. Megawati Sukarnoputri, who served as the fifth president of Indonesia, is his daughter by his wife Fatmawati. Her younger brother Guruh Sukarnoputra (born 1953) has inherited Sukarno's artistic bent and is a choreographer and songwriter, who made a movie Untukmu, Indonesiaku (For You, My Indonesia) about Indonesian culture. He is also a member of the Indonesian People's Representative Council for Megawati's Indonesian Democratic Party – Struggle. His siblings Guntur Sukarnoputra, Rachmawati Sukarnoputri and Sukmawati Sukarnoputri have all been active in politics. Sukarno had a daughter named Kartika by Dewi Sukarno. In 2006 Kartika Sukarno married Frits Seegers, the Netherlands-born chief executive officer of the Barclays Global Retail and Commercial Bank. Other offspring include Taufan and Bayu by his wife Hartini, and a son named Toto Suryawan Soekarnoputra (born 1967, in Germany), by his wife Kartini Manoppo. Popular ladies' magazines such as Femina and Kartini regularly run features about newly discovered lookalike sons and daughters throughout the archipelago, who often disappear when pressed to take a DNA test by the official Sukarno children. Excerpt from Wikipedia.

Indonesian President Sukarno Indonesian President Sukarno was taken prisoner by Dutch troops in an attempt to retain control of Indonesia. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: ca. 1945-1949

Sukarno and Family Original caption: 3/11/1946-Batavia, Java, Indonesia- Dr. I.R. Sukarno, Nationalist leader and President of the Indonesian government, with his wife and son, Guntur, shown at their home. The eyes of the entire world are on this man, who, although he was in power during the Japanese occupation, has managed to retain his authority. The peace and prosperity of 80,000,000 Indonesians depend on his decisions. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: March 11, 1946 Location Information: Jakarta, Java, Indonesia

Indonesian President Achmad Sukarno President of Indonesia, Achmad Sukarno, in 1949. Image: Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBISPhotographer: Bert Hardy Date Photographed: April 1949 

Mohammed Hatta Dr. Mohammed Hatta the Prime Minister of Indonesia (1902-1980). Image: Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS Collection: Historical Standard RM Date Photographed: 1949 Location Information: Indonesia

Indonesian President Achmad Sukarno Calming down Protesters Original caption: Indonesian President Achmad Sukarno, shown here speaking to a crowd in September of 1950, was reported trying to calm thousands of angry demonstrators near the presidential palace in Jakarta, October 17. An artilery battery was brought into position outside the palace as president Sukarno talked to the crowd which had formed to demand the dissolution of Parliament and general elections. Pres. Sukarno told the throng that he did not want to become a dictator and that he would arrange for elections as soon as possible. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: October 17, 1952

Madame Pandit and President Soekarno Listening to an Anthem Original caption: Madame Vijayal Laksimi Pandit of India (second from right), president of the United Nations General Assembly, stands beside President Achmed Soekarno of Indonesia, who salutes while the band plays the Indonesian national anthem. The ceremony took place at a welcoming reception for Mme. Pandit, who is touring the country, itu ibu Fatmawati lagi hamil Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: September 12, 1954 Location Information: Bandung, Indonesia

Portrait of Dr Achmed Sukarno Photo yang terkenal. Original caption: This is the latest official portrait of Dr. Achmed Soekarno, the President of the Republic of Indonesia. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: January 19, 1956

Nixon Greets President Sukarno Original caption: 5/16/1956-Washington, DC-: Indonesia's President Achmed Sukarno is escorted by Vice President Richard Nixon as the visiting Chief of State received full military honors and a 21-gun salute on his arrival at Washington National Airport at noon. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: May 16, 1956 Location Information: Washington, DC, USA

President Eisenhower and President Sukarno U. S. President Dwight D President Eisenhower and President Sukarno U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969) meets with Sukarno (1901-1970), the first President of Indonesia after the country gained its independence from the Dutch in 1945. Image: CORBIS Date Photographed: ca. 1953-1961. Location Information: Washington, DC,USA

President Sukarno with President Eisenhower Original caption: 5/16/1956-Washington, D.C.- President Sukarno of Indonesia ( L) sits with President Eisenhower during a closed-circuit television broadcast in connection with the dedication of a new General Motors technical center in Detroit. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: May 16, 1956. Location Information: Washington, DC, USA

Achmed Sukarno Waving from His Limousine Original caption: Asian leader responds to capital welcome. Washington, D.C.: President Sukarno of Indonesia waves from his open limousine in response to greeting accorded him yesterday on his arrival in Washington for an 18 day official state visit. Dr. Sukarno, leader of the world's third largest republic, which has remained neutral in the East-West Cold War, is staying at Blair House as guest of President Eisenhower. The Asian leader expressed the hope that his visit will "lead to real friendship between the U.S. and Indonesia ." Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: May 17, 1956

Richard Nixon Speaking with Achmed Sukarno Original caption: Visiting president chats with "veep." Washington, D.C.: President Achmed Sukarno of Indonesia, currently on an 18 day official visit to the United States, is shown (left) chatting with Vice President Richard Nixon shortly before a capitol luncheon given in his honor by Mr. Nixon yesterday. The visiting chief of state also addressed a joint session of Congress yesterday, an honor accorded only to leaders of key nations. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Photographer: Al Muto Date Photographed: May 18, 1956

President and Mrs. Eisenhower and Achmed Sukarno Original caption: 5/19/1956-Washington, D.C.- President and Mrs. Eisenhower are greeted by President Achmed Sukarno of Indonesia as they arrived at the Mayflower Hotel for a dinner given by President Sukarno in their honor. Speaking at the dinner, President Eisenhower said that Dr. Sukarno has given the US a "new thought, feeling and conception of freedom.“ In a toast to Mr. Eisenhower, President Sukarno said: "From what I have seen, this is a country of democracy and freedom." Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: May 19, 1956

Achmed Sukarno Receiving an Honorary Hood Original caption: Indonesian president honored at Columbia. New York, New York: Indonesian president Sukarno is shown being invested by Dean Harry J. Carman of Columbia with the hood of the degree of Doctor of Laws in ceremonies at the university today. L. to R.: Dean Carman; Dr. Sukarno and Dr. Grayson Kirk, president of Columbia. Dr. Kirk introduced the first president of the Southeast Asia Republic as "a political pioneer of a great frontier of today and tomorrow." Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: May 24, 1956 Location Information: New York, New York, USA

Achmed Sukarno Shaking Hands with Dag Hammarskjold Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: May 24, 1956

Marilyn Monroe Standing with President Sukarno Original caption: Indonesia's President Sukarno is shown chatting with actress Marilyn Monroe during a party given by Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Logan at a Beverly Hills Hotel last Tuesday night. The party was given in honor of Logan's brother-in-law, Marshall Noble, who is traveling with the 62 members of the Indonesian visiting group. Sukarno had expressed a desire to meet Miss Monroe, who he said is one of the favorite actresses in his country. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Photographer: George Snow Date Photographed: June 1956

Dr. Sukarno Chats With Mao Tse-Tung Original caption: 11/24/1956-Peiping, China: President Dr. Sukarno of Indonesia, left, is seen chatting with Chairman Mao Tse-Tung of the People's Republic of China (Communist) during a banquet here given by the chairman of the Red China in honor of the Indonesian President. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: November 24, 1956

Pakistani and Indonesian Leaders Saluting at Welcoming Ceremony Original caption: President Achmed Soekarno, (L) who is taking a rest from the cares of the office, is shown taking the salute at the airport on his arrival at Karachi. Standing beside the Indonesian President is President Iskander Mirza of Pakistan. They are flanked by Indonesian and Pakistan flags. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: January 25, 1958 Location Information: Karachi, Pakistan

Prime Minister Kishi Nobusuke and President Sukarno Japanese Prime Minister Kishi Nobusuke (L) greets Indonesian President Sukarno during a state visit in Tokyo, Japan. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: 1958

Sukarno with Japanese Royalty (ketemu 'sodara tua'- Akihito masih imut) Original caption: Sukarno Guest of Japanese Emperor. Tokyo, Japan: President Achmed Sukarno (center) of Indonesia with Emperor Hirohito of Japan (left) and Crown Prince Akihito when Sukarno was guest of the emperor at luncheon in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The Indonesian president is on a tour of "rest" from his presidential duties. He is being given the red carpet treatment in Japan amid rumors that he is an unofficial link for Afro-Asian leaders who want the US and Russia to get together in another summit conference. February 3, 1958. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Photographer: Ichiro Fujimura Date Photographed: February 3, 1958

President Sukarno with Osvaldo Dorticos & Fidel Castro President Sukarno with Osvaldo Dorticos & Fidel Castro. Original caption: 5/9/1960-Havana, Cuba- Indonesian President Sukarno (C) chats with Cuban President Osvaldo Dorticos (L) and Premier Fidel Castro (R). The Indonesian president was beginning a state visit to Cuba. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: May 9, 1960 Location Information: Havana, Cuba

Leaders of the Non-Aligned Nations Original caption: 9/29/60-Yugoslavia- 5 top neutralist countries called upon Pres. Dwight Eisenhower & Premier Nikita Khrushcev to resume their personal diplomacy with a face to face conference. The move resulted from a "neutralist summit conference" late sept. 29. Shown here at the end of the conference are (L to R) PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Pres. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Pres. Gamal Abdel Nasser of United Arab Rep., Pres. Sukarno of Indonesia, & Pres. Tito of Yugoslavia. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: September 29, 1960

A. Nasser and A. Sukarno Toast with J. Nehru Original caption: 9/29/1960-New York, NY- United Arab Republic President Gamal Abdel Nasser (L) and Indonesian President Achmed Sukarno (C) clink glasses with their host, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, at a reception at India House. The glasses contain fruit punch. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: September 29, 1960 Location Information: New York, New York, USA

Indonesian President Sukarno at Podium Original caption: United Nations, New York: Helpful. President Sukarno of Indonesia speaks before the United Nations General assembly, Sept. 30th. His military aide, Lt. Col. Sabur (Left), retrieved each page as the President finished reading it. Sukarno urged the General Assembly to seek a new permanent home for the United Nations in Genevaor in some Asian or African country. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: September 30, 1960

Sukarno Achmed Speaking at Podium Original caption: President Sukarno of Indonesia is shown here delivering his speech to the United Nations. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: October 2, 1960  

Sukarno with Nikita Khrushchev Original caption:10/6/ 1960-New York, NY-Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev (L) stands silently by, as President Sukarno of Indonesia speaks to newsmen outside the Soviet U.N. delegation headquarters. Sukarno spoke to reporters after a 40-minute meeting with the Soviet Premier. Before his departure from the U.S., Sukarno issued a gloomy statement saying the session had accomplished very little. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: October 6, 1960

Presidents Kennedy and Sukarno Original caption: 4/24/1961- andres Air Force Base, MD: Sukarno Here For Talks: President Kenendy and Indonesian President Sukarno are shown in back of limousine following the latter's arrival here today. Sukarno is here for talks which may provide a gauge of U.S. prestige in the wake of the Cuban incident. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: April 24, 1961

President Kennedy and Indonesia's President Sukarno riding in an open car past a row of soldiers. Image: CORBIS Date Photographed: April 24, 1961

Kennedy and Johnson with Indonesia's Sukarno 1961 Image: Bettmann/ CORBIS Date Photographed: April 25, 1961

Robert and Ethel Kennedy Sitting With Indonesian Leader Original caption: U. S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy, (L), and his wife visit with Indonesian president Sukarno here. The Kennedy's lunched with Sukarno on this "courtesy call" visit. The president's brother and Sukarno are expected to discuss the Dutch Indonesian dispute and other issues involving Indonesiad uring informal talks later during the attorney General's six day visit to the island. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: February 13, 1962

Jean Simmons and Husband Listen To Sukarno Original caption: 4/11/1962-Bogor, Indonesia- Film star Jean Simmons and her husband, writer-director Richard Brooks (r), listen attentively to Indonesia's President Sukarno as he talks with them outside Bogor Palace. The actress and hubby are traveling through the islands of Indonesia looking for a film locale for the Conrad novel "Lord Jim." Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: April 11, 1962 Location Information: Bogor,Indonesia

President Sukarno Saying Goodbye to His Daughters Surrounded by citizens of Jakarta, President Sukarno kisses his youngest daughter, Sukmawati, goodbye while his other daughters, Rachmawati (center) and Megawati (left), wait their turn. The Indonesian President was leaving for a three-week vacation in Tokyo. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS. Date Photographed: November 19, 1962

Portrait of Ellsworth Bunker, Howard P Portrait of Ellsworth Bunker, Howard P. Jones and President Sukarno Original caption: U.S. Special Envoy Ellsworth Bunker, right, and Ambassador Howard P. Jones, center, chatting with Indonesian President Sukarno April 6, 1965, at the Presidential Palace in Djakarta. The Americans met with Indonesian officials in efforts to stop the "decline" of U.S. Indonesian relations. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: April 6, 1965

President Sukarno Addressing May Day Rally Original caption: 5/7/1965-Djakarta, Indonesia- President Sukarno of Indonesia addresses a mass May Day rally in the Sports Hall Building. Sukarno announced his decision not to attend a peace conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Rahman in Tokyo. The announcement was viewed as a victory for Indonesia's powerful Communist Party. Posters above the silent crowd stress the unity of the working classes in their struggle to overcome "imperialism." Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: May 7, 1965

Chou En-lai and Sukarno Ride in Boat Original caption: 7/6/1965-Cairo, Egypt-Cruising up the Nile River, Communist China's Premier Chou En-Lai (l) looks at the sights while his companion, President Sukarno of Indonesia checks the time. Both men were in Egypt awaiting the opening of the Afro-Asian Conference, which was to be held in Algiers. Chou stayed on in the Egyptian capital after the conference was postponed. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: July 6, 1965

President Sukarno of Indonesia with French Premier Pompidou of France. Image: Bettmann / CORBIS Date Photographed: 1965

Madame Sukarno Having Hair Done Original caption: 7/6/1965-London, England-Having her hair put back in place by the helping hand of a friend, Ratna Sari Dewi Sukarno smiles as she arrives in London. The Japanese-born beauty is the Indonesian President Sukarno's "wife number three," in his harem of four wives. Although relations between Indonesia and the British Commonwealth are strained, Madame Sukarno received an official welcome from the British Foreign Office. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: July 6, 1965 Location Information: London, England

Sukarno Inspects Troops President Sukarno, the first leader of Indonesia after it became a republic in 1945, inspects his troops. Image: Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS Date Photographed: October 1965

Portrait of Sukarno Original caption: Close-up of Sukarno at Merdeka Palace, when he announced a new six man presidium. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: March 27, 1966

Indonesian President and Ministers Original caption: General views of Indonesia President. President Sukarno with other ministers. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: April 15, 1966

Dewi Sukarno Admiring Her Infant Original caption: Ratna Sari Dewi, Japanese wife of former Indonesian President Sukarno, holds her 2 week old daughter, named Kartika Sari--"Essence of the Star," is shown in her private suite at Keio University Hospital in Tokyo. The baby born March 7th there, became the eighth child for the 65 year old former President. Madame Sukarno and her daughter were released from the hospital on March 18th. She told newsmen before leaving the hospital, she plans to rest for about six to eight weeks before returning to Djakarta in late April. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: March 18, 1967 Location Information: Tokyo, Japan.

Portrait of Achmed Sukarno Original caption: Leaving past glories behind, Indonesia's former leader Sukarno now lives quietly isolated from his people. Sukarno, who at one time traveled extensively and who boasted of four wives, is not allowed now to travel inside or outside Indonesia without permission and can only see one of his wives. At age 67, Sukarno is now truly in the September of his years. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: June 30, 1967

Former Wife of Sukarno with New Husband Original caption:10/3/ 1967-Djakarta, Indonesia- Former Indonesian President Sukarno's fourth wife, Harjati, is seen in traditional Indonesian wedding attire with her new husband at their wedding reception. Harjati married ex-Indonesian Army Major Sakri Sunarto Sukiman, son of a Sukarno political enemy, Dr. Sukiman Wirjosandjojo, former chairman of the "Masjumi" Moslem party, which was banned by Sukarno. Image: Bettmann/CORBIS Date Photographed: October 3, 1967 Location Information: Djakarta, Indonesia  

Soldiers at President Sukarno's Funeral Original caption: 6/22/1970-Blitar, East Java-Former Indonesian President Sukarno is buried with full military honors in the family cemetery at his birthplace. Sukarno, who served as president from 1945 to 1967, died early June 21st at the age of 69. Image: Bettmann/CORBISDate Photographed: June 22, 1970 Location Information: Blitar,East Java

Dewi Sukarno and Her Daughter Dewi Sukarno, widow of former president of The Republic of Indonesia Achmed Sukarno, with their daughter, Kartika Sukarno during winter vacation in Gstaad. Image: James Andanson/Sygma/ Corbis Photographer: James Andanson Date Photographed: December 1, 1983 Location Information: Gstaad, Switzerland