Husein Mutahar

Major Muhammad Husein Mutahar (; full name: ; 5 August 1916 – 9 June 2004) was the founder of Paskibraka, a youth organization in Indonesia which has the main task for raising and lowering the heirloom national flag of Indonesia (now duplicate) in ceremonies commemorating the independence day of Indonesia (17 August). Mutahar was also an Indonesian music composer, especially for national songs and children's songs. As a composer, he was better known as H. Mutahar as his abbreviation name. In addition, as a diplomat Mutahar was once served as Indonesian ambassador to the Vatican in 1969 to 1973.

Biography Early life Husein Mutahar was born in Semarang, Central Java on 5 August 1916. Mutahar came from al-Muṭahar clan of the family of Ba 'Alawi sada, his father was named Sayyid Salim bin Ahmad bin Salim al-Mutahar.

Education Mutahar went to elementary school at Europeesche Lagere School for seven years. While studying at the ELS, in addition to studying general knowledge at school, he also concurrently studied the Quran with a female teacher named Encik Nur.

Mutahar had studied at the Faculty of Law of Gadjah Mada University, from 1946 to 1947, after two years he then chose to drop out for participating in the Indonesian National Revolution. In addition, he also attended the Training School Diplomatic and Consular Affairs in the Netherlands and also attended the Training School Diplomatic and Consular Affairs at the United Nations office in New York.

While accompanying Nazir, Sukarno remembered Mutahar as a driver driving his car in Semarang, a few days after the Five Day Battle. Mutahar was then asked by Sukarno from Nazir to serve as his adjutant and was promoted to major. and was first introduced to the public in January 1945, a few months before the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence on August 17, 1945. Through the song of Syukur, Mutahar wanted to reveal a great praise and affirm to the listener that the homeland of Indonesia which will soon be free is a gift of God.

His second song was created in 1946 under the title Hari Merdeka. and several other hymns born of his concern over the destruction of Indonesia's nature. For the children's song category, Mutahar was also a composer of several children's songs, including Gembira, Tepuk Tangan Silang-silang, Mari Tepuk, Slamatlah, Jangan Putus Asa, and Saat Berpisah. to a joyful populace. It would be repeated again in 1947 and 1949.

With the transfer of the capital to Jakarta, Mutahar did not see any flag raising ceremonies until 1966 at the Merdeka Palace but the flag raising method still remained. In 1967, he advised then President Suharto on the formation of the Pasukan Pengibar Bendera Pusaka or National Heirloom Flag Hoisting Troop, with a mission to escort, hoist and lower the flag during Independence Day and other national holiday celebrations in the national and regional levels. In time for the 22nd Independence Day, his suggestion was accepted. The Pasikbraka of today traces its origin to the 70-man color party that was formed for the 1967 Independence Day national flag ceremonies, he was the first mentor of the unit and helped chose and train its first generation personnel.

Awards On February 15, 1961, Mutahar was awarded Bintang Mahaputra Pratama by the government of the Republic of Indonesia without a presidential decree. In addition, he also received the Bintang Gerilya award unknown dates and years of the conferment.