At 70, Soekarno's Daughter Sukmawati to Convert to Hinduism

jpnn.com, JAKARTA - The third daughter of Indonesia’s founding father Soekarno, Diah Mutiara Sukmawati Soekarnoputri, is about to convert to Hinduism at the age of 70.

The head of the Soekarno Center in Bali, Arya Wedakarna, said that this was a careful and personal decision of Sukmawati.

"Ibu Sukmawati's conversion is a personal matter, and this decision has been carefully considered," Arya told the media on Saturday (23/10).

According to him, the daughter of the independence proclaimer had studied Hinduism for a long time. Arya said Sukmawati was inspired by the teachings of Hinduism.

"I am a witness of this as I have accompanied her for 20 years, fighting for the Indonesian National Party (PNI) and the Soekarno Center. I have seen that Ibu Sukmawati has been inspired by the teachings of Hinduism for years," he said.

Arya added that Sukmawati often visited temples to share her insight on nationalism.

"She may be influenced by Bung Karno's mother, or her grandmother, Nyoman Rai Srimben from Buleleng. We know that our proclaimer's mother was a Hindu woman, a Balinese," said Arya.

Arya said Sukmawati also admitted that in her entire journey in embracing Hinduism, she was "guided" by her ancestors.