Jakarta, en.SERU.co.id – Guruh Soekarnoputra, the youngest son of Indonesia’s first president Soekarno and younger sibling of Megawati Soekarnoputri, has passed away on Saturday, 26 September 2026. Guruh drew his last breath at MRCCC Siloam Hospitals Semanggi in Jakarta at 04.16 WIB at the age of 73. He is remembered as an artist, cultural figure, and politician who dedicated his life to the arts and culture of the archipelago.
The sad news was conveyed by the Secretary General of the PDI Perjuangan Central Executive Board, Hasto Kristiyanto, through a written statement. Hasto said the extended family of PDI Perjuangan has lost a figure long known as an artist, cultural figure, and party fighter.
“The extended family of PDI Perjuangan deeply mourns the loss of Mas Guruh Soekarnoputra. He is remembered as a great artist, a Marhaenist figure, and a party fighter,” said Hasto, as quoted from detikcom on Saturday, 26 September 2026.
Hasto also offered prayers that Guruh be granted the best place at the side of Allah SWT. He asked the public to open the door of forgiveness for any mistakes and shortcomings of the deceased during his lifetime.
Earlier, PDI Perjuangan Central Executive Board Chair Andreas Hugo Pareira said Guruh had been ill for about two weeks before his death. However, Andreas admitted he did not yet know the exact nature of the illness Guruh had suffered.
Son of Bung Karno Who Pursued the Arts
Guruh Soekarnoputra was born in Jakarta on 13 January 1953. He was the youngest child of Soekarno and Fatmawati, and the younger brother of Megawati Soekarnoputri.
His interest in the arts was already visible from an early age. He studied various traditional dances and developed his musical abilities. He became known through works that combined modern musical elements with the rich traditions of the Nusantara.
He also founded the Swara Mahardhika arts group and took part in various large-scale performances. One of his widely recognized works is the song “Kala Sang Surya Tenggelam.”
In the field of music, Guruh’s name is also closely associated with Guruh Gipsy, a group that brought together rock music with gamelan and traditional Indonesian music. The group involved a number of important musicians, including Chrisye and Keenan Nasution.
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Following Bung Karno’s Path in Politics
Besides the world of arts, Guruh also followed the political path once taken by his father. He joined PDI Perjuangan and pursued a long career as a member of the House of Representatives (DPR RI).
Guruh served as a member of the DPR in the 1992–1997 period and returned as a legislator from 1999 until 2024. During his time in parliament, he was known as one of the senior cadres who paid particular attention to issues of culture and nationalism.
Guruh was not known solely because of his status as the son of Soekarno. Decades of creative work earned him a distinct place in the development of Indonesian performing arts and music. (aan/mzm)
