Why Did Soekarno Designate Kartini Day as a National Day?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Historian Asvi Warman Adam reveals the reasons why Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno, designated Kartini Day as a national day. One of the main factors was the popularity of Raden Ajeng Kartini among the public and in political circles.

In the Gaspol Kompas.com podcast cited on Sunday (26/4/2026), Asvi explains that this designation was inseparable from the momentum of elevating national heroes in 1964.

He mentions that on 2 May 1964, Soekarno issued Presidential Decree Number 108 of 1964, designating Kartini as a National Independence Hero.

“So in 1964, there was the largest elevation of heroes in Indonesian history. That year, 14 national heroes were elevated, the most to date,” said Asvi.

According to Asvi, this elevation reflected Soekarno’s efforts to embrace various groups within his Nasakom concept—nationalists, religious groups, and communists—as well as civilian and military elements.

From the military side, figures from the Koninklijk Nederlandsch-Indisch Leger (KNIL) were included. From Islamic circles, there were Wahid Hasyim and Hasyim Asy’ari.

Additionally, three female figures were elevated as national heroes that year: Kartini, Cut Nyak Dien, and Cut Nyak Meutia.

However, according to Asvi, compared to the other two female figures, Kartini had a higher level of popularity.

“There were three women who became national heroes. But compared to the three, Kartini, Cut Nyak Dien, and Cut Meutia, Kartini was more popular. Popular among the public but also popular among politicians,” he said.

Besides the popularity factor, Soekarno is said to have greatly respected Kartini’s struggle, especially in educating women through literacy.

“Bung Karno made Kartini’s birth date as Kartini Day,” said Asvi.