Sukmawati Soekarnoputri Will Hold Religious Conversion Ritual
The daughter of President Proclaimer Soekarno, Sukmawati Soekarnoputri, will undergo the ritual of converting from Islam to Hinduism. The ritual will be held at the Sukarno Center Heritage Area in Bale Agung Singaraja, Buleleng Regency, Bali, on Tuesday (26/10).
"Yes, that's right. The event will be in Bali on October 26, 2021, next Sunday," said Arya Wedakarna, head of the Sukarno Center in Bali and the person in charge of the event, when contacted Friday (22/10).
align: justify;">He said that he was appointed by Sukmawati to help arrange the Sudhi Wadhani ceremony or the inauguration ceremony and ratification of the words or promises of someone who sincerely and pure heart states adheres to Hinduism. However, in principle, we will rename the Sudhi Wadhani ceremony to Hinduism," he said.
In addition, his party also conveyed that Sukmawati Soekarnoputri's conversion to Hinduism had gone through an approval process with her family.
"Be it, the family of his sons and daughters are the main ones and also his brothers. Megawati's mother, Rachmawati's late mother, Guntur. Everything is in the process, so it's just an event like that," he said.
Back to Ancestral Religion
He also explained that Sukmawati's move to Hinduism was her right to be able to return to her ancestral religion. Because, according to him, Sukmawati's grandmother, Ida Ayu Nyoman Rai Srimben, is from Singaraja, Buleleng Regency, Bali, and is Hindu.
"Because her grandmother Nyoman Rai Srimben from Singaraja is also a Hindu. So, she (Sukmawati) also wants her place, not in Jakarta but in Bali. However, in Bali, the Great Hall is the place of her ancestors, namely Bung Karno's mother, Nyoman Rai Sirimben," he said.
He also stated that Sukmawati's conversion to Hinduism had gone through a long process. He said that so far Sukmawati likes to discuss with priests, monks, and stakeholders and likes to read Hindu scriptures.
"I'm a witness to his struggle. Seeing him, it seems like all this time he likes Hinduism and Bali. Always asks to come to Pura, for decades and likes to read Hindu scriptures. Likes to discuss with monks, priests, our holder," he said. "She (Sukmawati) decided right at the age of 70 years on October 26 tomorrow. To her grandfather's religion, Bung Karno's mother Ida Ayu Nyoman Rai Srimben. He decided to return to Hindu Dharma," said Arya when confirmed by MNC Portal Indonesia, Friday (10/22/2021).
In the invitation received, the ritual procession of returning to Hinduism, called Sudhi Wadani, will be held in the Sukarno Heritage Area of the Cultural Heritage Site. This place is the home of the mother of the first President of the Republic of Indonesia on Jalan Mayor Metra, Singaraja, Buleleng. Although he does not know the reason behind his decision, Arya admits that he often sees Sukamawati attending Hindu religious ceremonies. According to him, Sukmawati's decision to change religion has received the blessing of Bung Karno's extended family, namely Megawati Soekarnoputri, Guntur Soekarnoputra and Guruh Soekarnoputra. Sukmawati's three children have also given permission, namely Gusti Pangeran Haryo Paundrakarna Sukmaputra Jiwanegara, Gusti Raden Ayu Putri Agung Suniwati and Muhammad Putra Perwira Utama. Sukmawati decided to convert to Hinduism because she wanted to return to her ancestral religion. "Her grandmother Nyoman Rai Sirimben from Singaraja is also a Hindu. So she also wants her place, not in Jakarta but Bali," said Wedakarna. According to him, so far the preparations have been good and it's just a matter of implementation. President Soekarno's daughter decided to convert from Islam to Hinduism. He will undergo a religious conversion ritual on October 26, 2021. Invitations were also distributed, including to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and all ministers of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet. This was conveyed by DPD RI member Arya Wedakarna who was trusted to prepare the procession. "So far the preparations have been good and it's just a matter of implementation," he said when contacted, Friday (22/10/2021) night. The ritual, named Sudhi Wadani, will be held at the home of Nyoman Rai Srimben, Bung Karno's mother, on Jalan Mayor Metra, Singaraja, Buleleng. According to Arya, Sukmawati's decision to change her religion has received the blessing of Bung Karno's extended family. Namely Megawati Soekarnoputri, Guntur Soekarnoputra and Guruh Soekarnoputra