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'Merdeka Sejak Hati’: A Tribute to Lafran Pane
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Discussing a legend: Moderator Frisca Clarissa (left), writer A. Fuadi (second left), Lafran Pane's nephew Nina Pane (center), politician Akhmad Muqowam (second right) and researcher Hariqo Wibawa talk about Fuadi's new book, 'Merdeka Sejak Hati', in a discussion at the National Library in Jakarta. (JP/A. Kurniawan Ulung)
E
ven though the Association of Islamic Students (HMI) is the biggest student organization in Indonesia, nobody has ever truly dug deep into the story of its founder Lafran Pane. That is, until now.
Award-winning author Ahmad Fuadi has chronicled the life of Lafran, who went from zero to hero, in a new book titled Merdeka Sejak Hati (Independence from the Heart).
Lafran may not be as well-known as his older brothers, acclaimed poet Sanusi Pane and renowned novelist Armijn Pane, yet he is arguably one of the most influential academics in Indonesian history thanks to the HMI, which he founded in 1947 in Yogyakarta.
Standing on the front line of promoting a tolerant Islam and safeguarding the state ideology, Pancasila, and national motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), the HMI has a reputation as a training ground for Muslim intellectuals and leaders, such as the late Nurcholish “Cak Nur” Madjid, former Constitutional Court chief Mahfud MD and Vice President Jusuf Kalla.
When celebrating National Heroes Day at the State Palace in 2017, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo declared Lafran a national hero – 26 years after he passed away at the age of 68 in an accident in 1991.
Merdeka Sejak Hati also tells stories about Lafran that most people outside of HMI circles have yet to hear.
