39-463: Sutan Sjahrir (5 March 1909 – 9 April 1966) was an Indonesian politician and revolutionary independence leader who served as the first Prime Minister of Indonesia from 1945 until 1947. Previously, he was a key Indonesian nationalist organizer in the 1930s and 1940s. Unlike some of his colleagues, he did not support the Japanese during the Japanese occupation and fought in the resistance against them. He
78-538: A crucial role in negotiating the Linggadjati Agreement . Because his thoughts were ahead of his time he was often misunderstood and started to acquire internal political adversaries. If we determine the value of Indonesia's freedom by its genuinely democratic quality, then in our political struggle vis-a-vis the outside world, it is for this inner content that we must strive. "The State of the Republic of Indonesia"
117-471: A day after the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence , Sukarno was appointed president and the 1945 Constitution of Indonesia came into force, which stated that Indonesia was built around a presidential system ; as such, there were no constitutional provisions for a prime minister, and the cabinet was directly responsible to the president. However following Vice-Presidential Edict No.X , on 11 November
156-643: A few years to Pemuda Indonesia . This, in particular, played an important role in the Youth Congress ( Sumpah Pemuda ), in which the association helped the Congress itself to run. During his political activities as a student in the Netherlands, he became a close associate of the older independence activist Mohammad Hatta , future vice-president of Indonesia. While he spent years in exile in the Banda Islands, he taught
195-692: A journalist with the first feminist newspaper of Sumatra . Although from Padang Pandjang, Sjahrir's family lived in Medan , but he was often brought by his father to his grandmother's house in Koto Gadang, which has now become abandoned. Sjahrir attended the Europeesche Lagere School (ELS), before continuing to the Meer Uitgebreid Lager Onderwijs (MULO), in Medan. During his time at MULO, he
234-818: A moment when the Indonesian masses, brought to the boiling point by the Japanese occupation and civil war, sought release in racist and other hysterical outbursts. Sjahrir's pamphlet went directly against this, and many must have felt his call for chivalry, for the understanding of other ethnic groups, as a personal attack." Sal Tas. After writing his pamphlet he was appointed prime minister by President Sukarno in November 1945 and served until June 1947. Professor Wertheim describes Sjahrir's early accomplishments as prime minister as follows: "...Sjahrir knows what he wants and will not be distracted by popular sentiment or circumstantiality. He
273-413: A new constitution, the 1945 Constitution would be reinstated. This removed the constitutional foundation for the office of Prime Minister. However, on 9 July of that same year, Sukarno took on the title of prime minister in addition to the presidency; later using the phrase "I am president and prime minister" as a dominant message in his speeches. After the abortive coup against the government in 1965 and
312-530: A year later, and just before the Indies fell to the Japanese in 1941, to Sukabumi . During the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies , he had little public role, apparently sick with tuberculosis , while he was one of the few independence leaders who was involved in the resistance movement against the Japanese occupation. Sukarno, Hatta, and Sjahrir had agreed that Sjahrir would go underground to organise
351-484: Is able to overturn a ministry fabricated by the Japanese and establish a new ministry of honest, fairly capable, fairly democratic and social minded men under his leadership. No small feat in revolutionary circumstances..." Due to his non-cooperative stance during the Japanese occupation, he was one of the few Republican leaders acceptable to the Dutch government during the early independence negotiations. In 1946 Sjahrir played
390-475: Is only a name we give to whatever content we intend and hope to provide. In 'Perdjoeangan Kita' (Our Struggle), October 1945, Sjahrir. Although Sjahrir was one of the most significant Indonesian politicians of his time, he did not engage in politics through a sense of vocation nor out of interest, but rather through a sense of duty to his country and compatriots and commitment to his democratic ideals. Described as an omnivorous intellectual Sjahrir had education at
429-594: The Daulat Rajat , the newspaper of the new PNI. Within a relatively short time, he developed from a representative of Hatta into a political and intellectual leader with his standing. Both leaders were imprisoned in the Cipinang Penitentiary Institution by the Dutch in March 1934 and convicted for nationalist activities in November 1934, exiled to Boven-Digoel where they arrived in March 1935, then to Banda
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#1732855477287468-523: The Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies , Sjahrir fought in the resistance. Towards independence on 17 August 1945, he was involved in the Rengasdengklok Incident and the Proclamation of Independence . Following the release of his 1945 pamphlet "Our Struggle" ("Perjuangan Kita"), he was appointed Prime Minister of Indonesia by President Sukarno . As prime minister, he was one of
507-518: The Indonesian language as 'Perdjoeangan Kita' in 1945 and was then translated into the English language by Charles Wolf Jr. and named 'Out of Exile' published by John Day, New York, 1949. The English version contains a considerable amount of additional text. "Perhaps the high point of his career was the publication of his pamphlet 'Our Struggle'. Whoever reads that pamphlet today can scarcely comprehend what it demanded in insight and courage. For it appeared at
546-617: The KNIP. On 27 December 1949, the Netherlands transferred sovereignty to a federal United States of Indonesia (RUSI), of which the Republic of Indonesia was one state. The Federal Constitution provided for a prime minister, and Hatta became the only prime minister of the RUSI. As this caused a vacuum of power in the Republican administration, Susanto Tirtoprodjo , justice minister in the previous cabinet,
585-511: The cabinet was made responsible to the provisional legislature, the Central Indonesian National Committee ( Indonesian : Komite Nasional Indonesia Pusat (KNIP)), effectively suspending the constitution. The cabinet was dismissed, and Sutan Sjahrir was asked to become the first prime minister. He agreed to do so on the condition he was allowed to select his own cabinet. The new cabinet was announced on 14 November with
624-399: The consequences. During his imprisonment he suffered from high blood pressure and in 1965 had a stroke, losing his speech. He was sent to Zürich , Switzerland for treatment and died there in exile in 1966. Although a revolutionary opponent of Dutch colonialism his intellectual prowess was recognised by his adversaries and he remained highly respected in the Netherlands. After he died in 1966
663-622: The few Republican leaders acceptable to the Dutch government, due to his non-cooperative stance during the Japanese occupation. He also played a crucial role in negotiating the Linggadjati Agreement . Sjahrir founded the Indonesian Socialist Party (PSI) in 1948 to politically oppose the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). Although small, his party was very influential in the early post-independence years. However, Sjahrir's socialist party ultimately failed to win support and
702-487: The fifth wife his father married. From his father's marriage, Sjahrir had 6 siblings. Two biological brothers, and four half-siblings. His two biological brothers were Soetan Sjahsam, who became an experienced businessman, and Soetan Noeralamsjah, who would become a prosecutor and politician from the Great Indonesia Party (Parindra). He was also the half-brother of Rohana Kudus , an advocate for women's education and
741-481: The former Dutch Prime Minister Professor Schermerhorn commemorated Sjahrir in a public broadcast on national radio, calling him a "noble political warrior" with "high ideals" and expressing the hope that he would be recognised as such by the next generations in Indonesia. In the 21st century Sjahrir's legacy in Indonesia is being publicly rehabilitated. In 2009 Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said: "He
780-489: The heart of his passion. When he was appointed prime minister in 1945, he was the youngest prime minister in the world, only being 36 years old. "I really find teaching the greatest work there is, for helping young people to shape themselves is one of the noblest tasks of society." Sutan Sjahrir. Sjahrir founded the Indonesian Socialist Party (PSI) in 1948 to politically oppose the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). Sutan's socialist party ultimately failed to win support and
819-564: The local children to love their country and inspired them in many ways. The Perhimpoenan Indonesia came under increasing communist influence, and Hatta and Sjahrir were both expelled in 1931. In reaction to the intrigue by communist cells in the PI against Hatta and himself, Sjahrir stayed calm and in character. In his memoirs their Dutch associate Sol Tas recalls: " He was not intimidated for one minute by official or quasi-official declarations, by communiques or other formulae, not afraid for one second of
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#1732855477287858-471: The maneuvers directed against him, and still less concerned for his reputation. That mixture of self-confidence and realism, that courage based on the absence of any ambition or vanity, marked the man. " Sjahrir had not finished his law degree, when Hatta sent Sjahrir ahead of him to the Dutch East Indies in 1931, to help set up the Indonesian National Party (PNI). Sjahrir was heavily involved in
897-654: The new cabinet. He finally resigned on 27 June, after being fatally weakened by concessions he had made to the Dutch following the signing of the Linggadjati Agreement . He was replaced by Amir Sjarifuddin , and Sjahrir became Indonesian representative at the United Nations . Sjariffuddin in turn resigned in turn following withdrawal of political support in the aftermath of the Renville Agreement . Sukarno then appointed vice-president Mohammad Hatta , asking him to form an emergency cabinet answerable to him rather than to
936-611: The performance of patriotic plays in the Priangan countryside. Sjahrir completed his studies at the AMS in 1929, and continued his education to the Netherlands , after receiving a scholarship. Sjahrir arrived in the Netherlands in 1929, enrolling first at the University of Amsterdam and later becoming a law student at Leiden University where he gained an appreciation for socialist principles. He
975-486: The president. Due to the instability of the coalition cabinets, prime ministers often faced votes of no confidence . Every major policy change had a chance to be opposed, either by the government or opposition . As such, some cabinets lasted only a few months. On 5 July 1959, Sukarno issued a presidential decree declaring that, due to the inability of the Constitutional Assembly of Indonesia to decide on
1014-419: The release of a document transferring all political power to Suharto , in 1967 Sukarno lost the title of prime minister together with the presidency. Algemene Middelbare School Algemene middelbare school or AMS ( Dutch , "general secondary school") was during part of the twentieth century a level of education in the Netherlands (and also the Dutch East Indies and Suriname ), comparable with
1053-402: The revolutionary resistance while the other 2 would continue their cooperation with the Japanese occupier. At the height of chaos and violence during the early Bersiap period of the Indonesian revolution, Sjahrir published an epoch-making pamphlet named ' Our Struggle '. Originally published in Dutch as 'Indonesische Overpeinzingen' ('Indonesian Musings'), it was soon thereafter translated into
1092-409: The rights of the individual.[...]They envision the terminus of human development as one huge military complex of extreme order and discipline [...]" Although small, his party was very influential in the early post-independence years, because of the expertise and high education levels of its leaders. However, the party performed poorly in the 1955 elections, partly because the grassroots constituency at
1131-545: The time was unable to fully understand the concepts of social democracy Sjahrir was trying to convey. It was banned by President Sukarno in August 1960 because it supported a rebellion in Sumatra and his opposition to the president's policies. In 1962 Sjahrir was jailed on alleged conspiracy charges for which he was never put on trial. Instead of fighting back and creating more conflicts, he chose to step back from politics and accept
1170-581: The understanding that although the prime minister was responsible to the Working Committee of the KNIP, he had to consult the president before making any major decisions. If the prime minister came into conflict with the KNIP or the president, another could be chosen. Internal political disputes prompted Sjahrir to resign on 28 March, but he was asked to form the next cabinet. This fell in October, but yet again, Sjahrir agreed to continue as prime minister in
1209-504: Was a part of several labor unions as he worked to support himself. He was briefly the secretary of the Perhimpoenan Indonesia ( Indonesian Association ), an organization of Indonesian students in the Netherlands. Sjahrir was also one of the co-founders of Jong Indonesie , an Indonesian youth association instead of the need for association to assist in the development of Indonesian youth for further generations, only to change within
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1248-507: Was a political office in Indonesia which existed from 1945 until 1966. During this period, the prime minister was in charge of the cabinet of Indonesia , one of the three branches of government along with the House of Representatives and the president . Following his 1959 decree , President Sukarno assumed the role and powers of prime minister until his resignation in 1966 . On 18 August 1945,
1287-402: Was a thinker, a founding father, a humanistic leader and a statesman. He should be a model for the young generation of Indonesians. His thoughts, his ideas and his spirit are still relevant today as we face global challenges in democracy and the economy." Prime Minister of Indonesia The Prime Minister of the Republic of Indonesia ( Indonesian : Perdana Menteri Republik Indonesia )
1326-408: Was appointed acting prime minister at the head of a transitional cabinet. On 22 January 1950, the new prime minister, announced his cabinet. The terms of both Hatta and Halim ended when the RUSI was dissolved and Indonesia became a unitary state on 17 August 1950 . Under the constitution of the unitary state , the cabinet was once again responsible to parliament, with the prime minister appointed by
1365-474: Was considered to be an idealist and an intellectual. Born to a Minangkabau family, he studied at the University of Amsterdam and later became a law student at Leiden University . He became involved in Socialist politics, and Indonesia's struggle for independence, becoming a close associate of the older independence activist Mohammad Hatta , who would later become the first Vice President of Indonesia . During
1404-634: Was first introduced to works by authors such as Karl May . In 1926, he continued his education at the Algemene Middelbare School (AMS), in Bandung , West Java . There, he joined the Indonesian Student Theater Association (Batovis) as a director, writer and actor. His earnings from there were used to fund the 'People's University' (Cahaya), which was a university co-founded by Sjahrir, to battle illiteracy and raise funds for
1443-657: Was inaugurated as a National Hero of Indonesia . Sutan Sjahrir was born on 5 March 1909, in Padang Panjang , West Sumatra . He came from an ethnic- Minangkabau family, from what is today Koto Gadang, Agam Regency . His father, Muhammad Rasyad Maharajo Sutan, served as the Hoofd or Chief public prosecutor at the Landraad in Medan . His mother, Siti Rabiah, came from Natal, in what is today South Tapanuli Regency . Sjahrir's father had six different wives, with Sjahrir's mother being
1482-493: Was later banned in 1960, after the party was suspected of being involved in the Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia rebellion. Sjahrir himself would eventually be arrested and imprisoned without trial in 1962. In 1965, he was released to seek medical treatment and was allowed to go to Zürich , Switzerland. There, he died on 9 April 1966. On the same day, through Presidential Decree No. 76/1966, Sjahrir
1521-452: Was later banned in 1960. Already in the mid-1930s 1930s Sjahrir warned about the tendency of socialists to be dragged into the notions of the extreme political left . Sjahrir described his fear of the trend of socialists to adopt ideas of communist absolutism as follows: "Those socialist activists, with all good intentions, suddenly and unnoticed become 'absolute' thinkers, 'absolutely' discarding freedom, 'absolutely' spitting on humanity and
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