PDIP Unveils Philosophy Behind 'Bung Karno, Father of Marhaenism' Song for Historical Clarification
PDIP’s Central Leadership introduced the song ‘Bung Karno, Father of Marhaenism’ at the orientation and technical briefing for PDIP’s regional legislative members nationwide for the 2024-2029 term. The song is said to embody deep philosophical meaning as part of the nation’s historical clarification efforts.
PDIP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto explained that during the New Order era, Indonesia experienced a ‘historical disconnection’. One example was the ban on commemorating Pancasila’s birthdate on 1 June 1945.
According to Hasto, this situation caused the Indonesian nation to lose its orientation towards the original ideals of the Republic’s founding. Hasto revealed that the song was re-arranged by Prananda Prabowo, the Creative Economy Head of PDIP’s Central Leadership, who is also Sukarno’s (Bung Karno’s) grandson and the son of the fifth President and PDIP Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri.
‘That is why historical clarification and ideological consolidation are being carried out. Mas Prananda Prabowo has taken on that role,’ Hasto told journalists on Monday, 1 June 2026.
The song aims to eliminate the negative stigma long deliberately attached to the term ‘Marhaen’, he said. In addition to ‘Bung Karno, Father of Marhaenism’, Prananda composed the PDIP Hymn and reintroduced the tradition of reading the dedication of life.
‘Mas Prananda has reintroduced it with a new arrangement. It awakens our awareness of Pancasila’s true nature to transform oppressive structures based on the values of divinity, humanity, justice, nationalism, and people’s sovereignty,’ he added.
According to Hasto, the term ‘Marhaen’ has often been misconstrued and labelled as communist. However, he added, Marhaenism is a social reality that formed the historical backdrop for Bung Karno to liberate Indonesia’s marginalised people.
‘We’ve long spoken of Marhaen being labelled communist and so on, but it is a social reality that served as the historical context for Bung Karno to free Indonesia’s marginalised people. They are self-reliant, but their awareness must be built,’ Hasto said.
When asked if PDIP might propose the song be played at state events, Hasto stressed that the party’s priority is to absorb the song’s spirit into concrete policies for the people’s welfare.
‘For PDIP, the importance of the ’Bung Karno, Father of Marhaenism’ marching song lies in its spirit — the spirit of our independence and politics for the Marhaen people. It is filled with concrete efforts to ensure ideological and technocratic policies benefit the people,’ he insisted.
Hasto added that reflecting on the founders’ ideas is crucial given Indonesia’s current lag in several sectors. Through the song’s essence, they aim to refocus politics on enlightening and liberating the nation.
‘We have fallen behind Singapore and even Malaysia, with declining education quality. Therefore, with the spirit of the ’Bung Karno, Father of Marhaenism’ song, we strengthen the true nature of politics that liberates from the shackles of poverty, ignorance, and injustice,’ Hasto concluded.
The song was played at the start of the orientation and technical briefing session for PDIP’s regional legislative members nationwide for the 2024-2029 term, held at Novotel Mangga Dua in North Jakarta on Saturday, 29 May 2026. The lyrics are as follows:
Marhaen people, march forward united
Building a new world
Unite your steps
Follow the single command
Long live our Bung Karno
Father of Marhaenism, triumphant
Long live our leaders
Marhaenism shall triumph