PAN Founder Abdillah Toha Passes Away

Founder of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Abdillah Toha has died on Tuesday (26 May). The news was confirmed by PAN’s Deputy Chairman, Viva Yoga Mauladi. Toha passed away at the age of 84. Viva described him not only as a politician but also as a writer and intellectual. ‘Abdillah Toha was a prominent Indonesian figure known as a senior politician, writer, columnist, Muslim intellectual, former member of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), and one of the founding members of the National Mandate Party (PAN),’ Viva stated. Born in Surabaya, East Java, in 1939, Toha was widely recognised for his writings on politics, democracy, Islam, civil liberties, and social criticism. His writing style was often described as sharp yet reflective. During his political career, Viva noted that Toha served as Deputy Chair of the DPR RI’s First Commission. He was also active in post-1998 democracy and reform issues. ‘He criticised identity politics and authoritarianism, whether from the state or societal groups. Beyond politics, he was also known in the literary and essay world,’ he added. Toha was regarded as an Islamic reformist in Indonesia. One of his most famous novels is titled ‘Cerobong Tua Terus Mendera’, and