Margono Djojohadikoesoemo

Raden Mas Margono Djojohadikusumo (16 May 1894 – 25 July 1978) was an Indonesian politician and banker. He was the founder and the first president of Bank Negara Indonesia, and was also a member of the Investigating Committee for Preparatory Work for Independence (BPUPK). He was also the paternal grandfather of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. He was also the first member of the Supreme Advisory Council.

Early life and education Margono was born on 16 May 1894 in Banyumas. His father was part of the Javanese aristocracy, and served in the colonial civil service's district government and in its courts. The family was descended from a nobleman who had fought against the Dutch during the Java War. Margono described his family as "impoverished" aristocracy, and noted that while he was the sixth child, all his elder siblings died as children. According to Margono, he never visited his ancestor's grave as the latter had disavowed any of his descendants who worked for the Dutch. He began studying at an Europeesche Lagere School (colonial elementary school) in 1901, and after graduating in 1907 he continued his studies at an (OSVIA; civil servant school for native Indonesians) in Magelang until 1911.

Career After graduating from OSVIA, Margono became a civil servant within the police department. Wanting to form an Indonesian national bank, Margono initially approached Deputy Finance Minister Surachman Tjokroadisurjo with a proposal to form one. However, Tjokroadisurjo turned him down, preferring to nationalize the colonial central bank De Javasche Bank instead of creating a new bank. Margono then went to Vice President Mohammad Hatta, who approved and signed off on his proposal.

Margono was briefly imprisoned by Dutch forces following Operation Kraai in 1948. Within independent Indonesia, Margono was appointed into the Provisional People's Representative Council as a member of the Great Indonesia Party. He also served as president of the since its founding in 1951 until he was replaced as president of both BNI and the industrial bank in October 1953.

Later life Due to Sumitro's involvement in the Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia, Margono was forced into exile abroad along with the rest of his family, He published his memoir, titled Reminiscences from 3 Historical Periods: A Family Tradition Put in Writing, in 1973. Margono died in Jakarta on 25 July 1978, and was later buried at the Djojohadikusumo family grave in Banyumas Regency.

Honours A building in Gadjah Mada University (UGM) was named after him as the naming decision was agreed upon by faculty members and Margono's grandson, Hashim Djojohadikusumo. The building is used by the Faculty of Humanities within UGM. His name is also used as a street name in Jakarta.

His biography is an inspiration for the Indonesian film, Merah Putih.

Much to popular belief that it was named after him, Margono Hospital which is located in Purwokerto, Banyumas, Central Java is not named after him, but rather after another person with the same name, Margono Sukarjo. Margono Sukarjo is the first practicing surgeon in Indonesia.

Numerous grassroot organization in Indonesia had petitioned the government of Indonesia to award Margono Djojohadikusumo as National Hero of Indonesia.