PDIP Uses 'Bung Karno, Father of Marhaenism' Anthem to Rectify History

Secretary-General of PDI Perjuangan Hasto Kristiyanto said the party would continue playing the ‘Bung Karno, Father of Marhaenism’ anthem at various party events to correct history and consolidate ideology. Hasto revealed that the head of PDI Perjuangan’s Situation Room, M. Prananda Prabowo, played a central role in reviving the anthem with a new arrangement to eliminate the negative stigma attached to the term Marhaen. ‘Thus, the “Bung Karno, Father of Marhaenism” anthem is very important and has been reintroduced by Mr. Prananda Prabowo with a new arrangement,’ Hasto said after attending the flag-raising ceremony for Pancasila’s Birth Day on 1 June 2026 at the At Taufiq Mosque courtyard in South Jakarta on Monday. ‘It awakens our awareness of Pancasila’s true nature to change oppressive structures based on values of divinity, humanity, justice, nationalism, and populism,’ he added. Hasto explained that Marhaen is not communist as some parties previously claimed, but a social reality that was the basis of Bung Karno’s struggle. Marhaenism represents the marginalized but self-reliant masses whose political and economic empowerment must be fostered. When asked if PDI Perjuangan might propose the anthem for national events, Hasto stressed that the party’s priority is the absorption of the anthem’s spirit into concrete policies for public welfare. ‘For PDI Perjuangan, the importance of the “Bung Karno, Father of Marhaenism” anthem lies in its spirit — the spirit of our independence and politics for the Marhaen people. It is filled with tangible efforts to ensure ideological and technocratic policies benefit the people,’ he said. Hasto said reflecting on the founders’ thoughts is crucial given Indonesia’s current state of lagging in some macro sectors. Through the anthem’s essence, PDI Perjuangan aims to refocus politics on enlightening and liberating the nation. ‘We have fallen behind Singapore and even Malaysia; our education quality has declined. With the spirit of the “Bung Karno, Father of Marhaenism” anthem, we strengthen the true nature of politics that liberates from poverty, ignorance, and injustice,’ he concluded.