Top 15 Famous Indonesian people

Top 15 Famous Indonesian People

Originally published by Lilian in December 2021, Updated by Charity K on May 2023 and Updated by  Diana K in February 2024

Today, Indonesia is well-known for its diverse and multi-ethnic islands such as the deeply religious Aceh in the north, the country’s center of government in Java to the tropical paradise of Bali.

The beautiful people of this country have been described as buoyant, creative, tenacious, and courageous. Nothing gets them down and they always have a way to see the good side of things thanks to their sense of humor.

This country, which is also made up of islands, has 17,000 islands ad a population of 225 million people. Indonesia is characterized by a tropical climate and it is humid all year round.

A majority of Indonesians are Muslim with the rest being Catholics, protestants, Buddhists, Hindus, and Confucians.

Indonesians are diligent, creative, and innovative and have impacted the world positively. Here are the top 0 famous Indonesians that you need to know.  

1. Pramoedya Ananta Toer – Novelist

Toer was an author of novels, short stories, essays, speeches, and histories of Indonesia and its people.

His works cover the colonial period under Dutch rule, Indonesia’s struggle for independence, and its occupation by Japan during the Second World War.

Furthermore, he has written about the post-colonial authoritarian regimes of Sukarno and Suharto. In this feature, Pramoedya has included both personal and national history.

The colonialists were not amused by his writing and he would constantly get in trouble. He was imprisoned by the Dutch colonialists for two years, from 1947 to 1949.

While in prison, he was not allowed to write or read. Instead, Pramoedya recited some of his most famous poems to other prisoners.

This repeated itself when the country was self-governing. The government of the day found his writing rather biased.

2. Ahmed Sukarno – First President of Indonesia

Ahmed was the founding father of modern Indonesia from 1945 to 1967. Sukarno was born in Kusno Sosrodihardjo.

He was instrumental in winning the country its independence in 1945 from the Dutch.

It was Sukarno who led his fellow Indonesians in the nationalist movement during the Dutch colonial period.

He was detained by the Dutch for more than a decade. His release came when the Japanese forces invaded Indonesia.

Together with other liberators, they joined forces with the Japanese to defeat the Dutch. During this time, Sukarno was able to spread nationalist ideas to the population.

After the Japanese surrendered, Sukarno and Hatta declared Indonesian independence on 17 August 1945. That same year Sukarno was appointed as the first president of the country.

3. Princess Raden Ajeng Kartini – Activist

Raden Ayu Kartini is another prominent Indonesian activist who advocated for women’s rights and female education.

She was born into a noble Javanese family in the Dutch East Indies, present-day Indonesia. Raden attended a Dutch-language primary school.

During her time, girls and women were not allowed to pursue further education. They would end their education when they were 12 years old.

Raden was one of the few women to learn a foreign language at the time. Having come from a privileged family, she was able to meet with several influential and famous people.

Kartini’s birthday is celebrated as Kartini Day in her honor. Several schools have been named after her and her younger sisters continue advocating for girls’ education.

4. Agnes Monica – International Pop Artist

Agnes Monica Muljoto is known by her stage name Agnez Mo. She started her career in the entertainment industry at the age of six as a child singer.

Mo has recorded three children’s albums and has been featured in several children’s television programs.

In 2003, Agnez released her first adult album entitled ‘And the Story Goes’. This album propelled her back to fame in the Indonesian music industry.

Her success back home has helped her spread her musical wings to the international scene. She released her second album in 2005 where she collaborated with Keith Martin, an American singer.

5. Zivanna Letisha Siregar – Media Personality

Zivanna is a talk show host, author, philanthropist, and model. She is the beauty pageant titleholder of the Puteri Indonesia in 2008.

Letisha represented Indonesia at Miss Universe 2009 Pageant in Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas. Although she did not make it as a finalist, Letisha won the Miss Popularity Award.

She is an active citizen who engages in social responsibility projects. In 2012, she was named the brand ambassador for Orangutans.  

This role allows her to educate the public on the plights of the wild orangutan populations and their habitat.

Her bestseller, Guide Book of a Woman Champion, was published in 2013.

6. Taufik Hidayat – Badminton Player

Taufik is a retired badminton player and a former World and Olympic champion in the men’s singles. Hidayat has won the Indonesia Open six times.

As a teenager, Taufik joined the SGS club, a badminton club in Bandung. He was trained by Iie Sumirat.

When he turned 17, he won the Brunei Open and reached the semi-finals of the 1998 Asian Championships and the Indonesia Open.

A year later, Hidayat won his first Indonesian Open title. He reached the finals of the All-England and the Singapore Open.

However, he lost the finals to his great rival Peter Gade and his senior in the national team Heryanto Arbi respectively.

In 2004, Hidayat won the men’s single’s gold medal at the Summer Olympics. He beat Hidetaka Yamada of Japan and Wong Choong Hann of Malaysia in the first two rounds.

7. Tania Gunadi – Actress

Tania Gunadi was born in 1983 and is an Indonesian-American actress. After winning the Green Card lottery, Tania moved to Los Angeles where she learned English. She later went to the University of Los Angeles.   

Before making it on the silver screens, Tania worked as a telephone operator at Pizza Hut. Her first TV job was in a Disneyland commercial.

She is best known for her role as Emma Lau in the TV series Aaron Stone (2010).

Gunadi was also featured in the series Transformers: Prime (2012) and the YouTube web series My Music (2012).

8. Abdurrahman Wahid – Former President of Indonesia

Abdurrahman Wahid was a Muslim religious and political leader who served as the 4th President of Indonesia. He was elected into office in 1999 but was ousted in 2001.

Wahid was the founder of the National Awakening Party which was part of the Nahdlatul Ulama organization.

His father was the Minister of Religious Affairs while his grandfather was the founder of Nahdatul Ulama.

He was popularly known as Gus Dur, meaning the short handsome lad. Under his administration, they abolished the Ministry of Information.

9. Jeff Arwadi – Music Producer

Jeff is a musician, music producer, and graphic designer. He grew up in Jakarta, Indonesia but late moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

He is known as a former guitarist, vocalist, and record producer for the avant-garde metal band Kekal.

While still in Jakarta, Jeff owned a home-based recording studio. Additionally, he was a staff member of the record label THT Productions. The studio and the house were sold shortly after Jeff moved to Canada.   

Arwadi has also worked professionally as a graphic designer in various companies for more than a decade.

10. Megawati Sukarnoputri – Politician

Diah Permata Megawati Setiawati Sukarnoputri is a politician and leader of the opposition party PDI-P.

Fondly known as Megawati, she served as the President of Indonesia from 2001 to 2004. Her presidency came after her predecessor Wahid was ousted.  

Megawati was the country’s only female president and the fourth woman to lead a predominantly Muslim nation in Asia.

She is also the first Indonesian leader born after the country gained independence.  Her father was the country’s first president, Ahmed Sukarno.

11. Suharto – Politician

He was born in Kemusuk in Godean near Yogyakarta in the time of the Dutch colonial era. He was the second Indonesian president from 1967 to 1998, a 31-year term. He joined the Indonesian army after the struggle for independence During his rule, the Indonesian Communist Party stage a coup which was encountered by Suharto’s army and was defeated. He was promoted to the position of Major General in the army. He resigned as president in 1998 and later died in 2008.

12. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono – Politician

He is known by his initials SBY. Additionally, he was a general in the Indonesian army and was also the president from 2004 to 2014. They won the presidency under the Democratic Party. 

13. Joko Widodo – Politician

He is known as Jokowi which is his nickname. He is the governor of Jakarta since September 2012. His running mate was Basuki Tjahaja Purnama under the Indonesian Democratic Party. He was nominated by his party, Indonesian Democratic Party.

 

Top 15 Fascinating Facts about Indonesian People

1.  Most Indonesians are Muslims

With over 225 million Muslims making up nearly 90 per cent of its population, Indonesia has the largest Muslim populace globally. However, Indonesia has six officially sanctioned religions and upholds religious diversity and freedom of worship in its constitution. Beyond Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism are formally recognised and protected.

Most Indonesian Muslims practice a moderate, syncretic version of Islam, incorporating local pre-Islamic customs. Indonesia’s long history of diverse cultural influences from trade and conquests has made for a resilient religious pluralism. Still, there are occasional tensions between hardline and progressive interpretations of Islamic law and practice. Overall, Indonesians take pride in their interfaith harmony.

2.  As a People the Indonesians are Many…..

As an archipelago comprising over 17,000 islands, Indonesia has an exceptionally large population of over 280 million, making it the fourth most populous country in the world. The majority of Indonesians reside on the islands of Java and Sumatra, which creates a very high population density in these areas. Such a substantial population is a result of high birth rates, cultural emphasis on large families, and increased life expectancy due to improved healthcare.

With abundant natural resources, Indonesia has great economic potential, yet governing and providing infrastructure and social services for so many inhabitants spread out over many islands presents an ongoing challenge. Still, Indonesia has a youthful, productive workforce that greatly contributes to its status as the dominant economy in Southeast Asia. Leveraging this human capital can bring continued advancement. 

3. Half of Indonesia’s Population Lives on Less than US$2 a Day

As a member of the G20 major global economies as well as ASEAN, Indonesia has seen substantial GDP growth above 5% annually, yet many citizens still live in poverty. Approximately half the population, over 140 million people, subsist on less than $2 per day. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced further financial hardship for vulnerable day labourers, triggering job losses and supply chain disruptions that push up the costs of basic goods.

However, over the last two decades, sustained economic expansion has more than halved the poverty rate since 1999. With the country’s transition to democracy and decentralised governance, more opportunities have opened across Indonesia’s regions. However, bureaucratic hurdles to business remain. The government must emphasize entrepreneurship and skills training to realize the human potential of its enormous, youthful population.

4. The People of Indonesia Speak over 707* Languages

Stretching over 17,500* islands at the crossroads of Asia Pacific trade winds, Indonesia has over 707* living languages, making it one of the most linguistically diverse nations. While the official language is Indonesian, hundreds of indigenous Austronesian and Papuan languages continue to thrive across the archipelago. For example, Javanese has over 70* million native speakers alone. This dazzling array of local tongues and dialects reflects Indonesia’s enormous social complexity shaped by centuries of inter-island migrations for trade and conquests by various empires.

The linguistic diversity upholds Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage. Recent national education policies aim to raise literacy in Indonesian while preserving minority languages through cultural institutions. Having an interconnected society with shared customs and means of exchange is essential for national unity across the sprawled islands.

5. Each Ethnic Group of Indonesians has its Traditional Dances

Indonesia’s diversity is reflected in its wealth of traditional dances, with each ethnic group boasting unique performing arts honed over generations. From Aceh’s saman to Bali‘s kecak, regional dances showcase the archipelago’s varied cultural identities and histories. These living art forms are practiced at ceremonies and festivals across Indonesia’s over 300* ethnic groups.

 Even as globalisation accelerates, vibrant choreography, costumes, and rituals ensure time-honoured customs carry on. Indeed, dances provide solidarity for communities against the currents of change. They form bonds between youths as traditions pass seamlessly to new generations. The government protects this heritage by designating certain dances as National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

6.  Indonesians are the World’s Biggest ‘Young’ Population

With over 63* million residents aged 5 to 24 years, Indonesia has one of the world’s youngest populations. This demographic bulge offers tremendous potential as productive new workers enter the economy every year. Yet it also strains resources, especially education and training programs needed to prepare youth for Indonesia’s rapidly growing industries.

Although over 30% of citizens have just a primary school education, new emphasis on vocational skills seeks to equip school leavers for skilled jobs in digital technologies, manufacturing, and services. Meanwhile, investing in quality healthcare, economic opportunities and family planning ensures young Indonesians can thrive. Harnessing this vital human capital will shape Indonesia’s fortunes.

7.  The People of Toraja Carry out Elaborate Funerals

On the island of Sulawesi lies Tana Toraja, “the land above the clouds,” whose people organize elaborate funerals that can last weeks and involve the entire village. Ceremonies showcase traditional dances, music, and sacrifices of domestic animals like buffalo. For nobility, the deceased may even be kept in the home for years as resources are gathered for a lavish public celebration of one’s afterlife.

Such spectral scenes make Tana Toraja’s funerals icons of Indonesia’s diversity of death rites. Yet modernisation threatens this age-old culture. As children leave for cities, ancestral farms get divided up. Preserving the central role these sacred rituals play in upholding unity and identity will keep Torajan traditions alive.

8. Indonesians have Adapted to the Challenges Posed by Active Volcanoes

Sitting on the restless Pacific Ring of Fire at the meeting point of tectonic plates, Indonesia has over 130 active volcanoes, more than any country, making it one of the hottest spots on Earth. While eruptions devastate nearby settlements with hot ash clouds, lava flows and mudslides, the active geology also replenishes soils with fertile nutrients for agriculture to flourish after the danger subsides.

With nowhere to relocate millions of villagers living around these smouldering peaks, adaptation is key – from early warning systems to emergency planning and periodic evacuation drills. This geothermal volatility powered the 2010 eruption of Mount Merapi, one of the worst this century. But its danger is entwined with Indonesians’ fortunes, destructive yet life-giving.

9. Pencak Silat: Ancient Self-Defense Heritage of Indonesians

Pencak silat is Indonesia’s homegrown martial art, developed across the archipelago for self-defence and military training over two millennia. This fighting style features a fluid dance of strikes, grappling and throws, often accompanied by traditional music. Students harness inner spiritual strength while honing body movements into harmony.

Now formally codified into organised schools, every major Indonesian ethnic group practices its own style, from graceful Minangkabau evasions to brute Madurese attacks. Regular inter-school competitions provide opportunities to showcase the diverse regional forms of this national heritage. Although global mixed martial arts eroded its popularity among youths, pencak silat remains a source of ethnic pride and solidarity with a long warrior tradition.

10.  In South Kalimantan, People live in Floating Houses

The rivers and jungles of Borneo host some uniquely adapted settlements, especially the “floating houses” found in the watery lowlands of South Kalimantan. With monsoons and tides raising water levels by several meters each year, homes stand atop sturdy stilts or float directly on sturdy raft structures. Entire neighborhoods connect into mobile villages during floods.

They rely chiefly on boats for transportation and fishing. This amphibious architecture allows harmony with the seasonal ebb and flow of nature. Yet with logging and mining polluting waterways, the future of these aquatic lifeways remains murky. Honouring age-old accommodation of their environments can guide conservation and climate resilience.

11.  Wayang Kulit is a Puppet-Shadow play that Tells the Story of Indonesians

For a millennium, wayang kulit shadow theater has regaled Indonesian audiences with ghostly retellings of ancient epics and spiritual teachings. Master puppeteers conduct the performance behind an illuminated screen, narrating tales while manipulating ornate leather shadow puppets representing both earthly and divine characters. Stories based on Hindu texts like the Ramayana or Mahabharata often explore profound lessons about morality and existence with otherworldly allure.

Once a medium to promote religious messages before mass literacy, wayang kulit continues as aesthetic amusement and moral instruction. However, growing disinterest imperils the preservation of this storytelling heritage. Integrating its timeless wisdom into modern contexts can sustain the bewitching spirit of wayang kulit.

12.  Indonesians love Their Rice

Rice is indispensable to Indonesian cuisine, served at almost every meal. As the staple across this archipelago nation, various regions have perfected rice dishes reflecting local tastes. In lush Bali, intricate mixes like nasi campur with meats, veggies, and sambal embody the island’s Hindu heritage. In Sumatra’s Padang, diners savor seafood and curry-laced rendang stew atop fragrant coconut rice.

Java’s signature nasi goreng fries up leftover rice into a quick, savoury meal accompanied by fried egg, shrimp paste and veggies. Beyond rice, tempeh, noodles and cassava give meals variety too. Thus, while Indonesian cuisine centers on rice, it maintains breathtaking diversity. The array of preparations, regional specialities and banana leaf platters offer culinary abundance.

13.  The People of Bali Fall Silent for a Whole Day Once a Year

The most spiritual day in Bali is Nyepi, the annual “Day of Silence” marking the Hindu New Year with solemn contemplation and stillness. On this occasion, the entire island quiets down as locals remain indoors to fast, meditate and rest while reflecting upon karma, self-discipline and spiritual connection. Normally bustling streets empty under a 24-hour restriction on work, travel and pleasure.

Even the airport ceases operations to facilitate inward reflection. Emerging the next morning, Balinese celebrate purification and renewal. The contrasts heighten awareness of society’s clamor amid nature’s calming divinity. By honoring Nyepi’s silence, Bali keeps its cherished Hindu customs thriving despite modern distractions.

14.  Some Indonesians are also Sea Nomads

The Bajau people, renowned as maritime nomads, spend most of their lives on elegant wooden boats known as lepa lepa, harvesting sea cucumbers and shellfish between Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Women dive with weights for shellfish while babies nap in hammocks. This unique dependency on the ocean stems from Bajau origins as refugees escaping slavery on coasts they still frequent.

To immerse the youth in culture, tight-knit communities uphold the oral tradition by sharing folktales treasuring their seafaring identity. However, competition from industrial fishing threatens their customary fishing grounds. Governments struggle to integrate the traditionally stateless Bajau into society. Finding opportunity while preserving heritage is vital for perpetuating this aquatically-adapted lifestyle. 

15.  Gamelan is the Traditional Ensemble Music of the People of Indonesia

 

Gamelan refers to the Indonesian traditional ensemble featuring bronze percussion, stringed instruments, drums and vocals. Based on intricate Javanese musical principles, interlocking parts create a hypnotic, shimmering soundscape. Different scales generate specific emotional flavors useful for ceremonies, processions and meditation. Players immerse themselves in music representing spiritual forces of nature. Thus gamelan pieces often accompany rituals, theater and life milestones.

Most significantly, gamelan contexts encourage mindfulness, harmony and community through transcendental music. Hence, even as pop culture modernizes youth, it persists in Indonesian heritage, conveying cultural memory. Its innate power champions tradition against modernity’s tide, consecrating community values.

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These facts provide a glimpse into the rich and diverse culture, history, and natural beauty of Indonesia and its people. Its bountiful nature fuels diverse lifestyles while frequent volcanoes and floods inspire ingenious architecture in harmony with the environment. Against the currents of globalisation, communities adapt customs and livelihoods passed for generations through song, dance, cuisine, and language. Although external influences and modernisation increasingly challenge traditions, the archipelago’s resilient people anchor their hybrid identities in ancestral values while navigating future adaptations.