Several commentators say Budi Utomo was the first of many nationalist organisations in the Dutch East Indies and all the others followed in its wake. Indonesian President Joko Widodo started his 2014 presidential campaign at this museum, promising that a new national awakening would follow once he was elected. The Museum of National Awakening, Jakarta, in the former STOVIA building. The building of the Batavia Medical College now houses the Museum of National Awakening ( Museum Kebangkitan Nasional). Indonesia commemorates Budi Utomo’s founding on May 20 every year as National Awakening Day. Many students in Java were attracted to Budi Utomo’s ideals and became members. They believed education provided the key to a better world. The founders of Budi Utomo were convinced modern science, technology and medicine could transform the lives of all Javanese. This association advocated increased educational opportunities for young Javanese men and women. On May 20 1908, Sutomo and several other medical students at the Batavia Medical College (STOVIA), together with retired physician Wahidin Sudirohusodo, founded an association, named Budi Utomo (Beautiful Endeavour). They also encouraged them to imagine how they could improve the lives of the indigenous inhabitants of the archipelago. They stimulated them to examine the conditions in the colonies. In the Dutch East Indies, medical students mobilised Indonesia’s youth to take part in political causes. The Indonesian translation, Merawat Bangsa: Sejarah Pergerakan Pada Dokter Indonesia, will be launched on Monday at the National Library Jakarta. I published my research in a book, Nurturing Indonesia: Medicine and Decolonisation in the Dutch East Indies. Merawat Bangsa: Sejarah Pergerakan Para Dokter Indonesia (Penerbit KOMPAS, 2018).

Sejarah budi utomo