First Sjahrir Cabinet

Summary

The First Sjahrir Cabinet (Indonesian: Kabinet Sjahrir I) was the second Indonesian cabinet, named after the prime minister. It served from November 1945 to March 1946.

First Sjahrir Cabinet
Kabinet Sjahrir I

2nd Cabinet of Indonesia
1945–1946
Date formed14 November 1945 (1945-11-14)
Date dissolved12 March 1946 (1946-03-12)
People and organisations
Head of stateSukarno
Head of governmentSutan Sjahrir
No. of ministers16 ministers
History
PredecessorPresidential Cabinet
SuccessorSjahrir II Cabinet

Background edit

The first Sjahrir cabinet was established following the 11 November 1945 demand from the Central Indonesian National Committee, which was the de facto legislature, that the cabinet be responsible to it, not to President Sukarno. The existing cabinet was dismissed and Sutan Sjahrir was asked to become prime minister. He agreed to do so on the condition he was allowed to select his own cabinet. The cabinet lineup was announced on 14 November 1945.[1][2]

Composition edit

None of the ministers had served in the previous cabinet. The government was intended to be inclusive, with representation from the nationalist and the religious parties, the latter grouping being represented by the PSII.[3]

Portfolio Minister Took office Left office Party
Prime Minister
Minister of Home Affairs
Minister of Foreign Affairs
14 November 1945 (1945-11-14)12 March 1946 (1946-03-12) PSI
Minister of People's Security14 November 1945 (1945-11-14)12 March 1946 (1946-03-12) PSI
Minister of Defense
Amir Sjarifuddin
3 January 1946 (1946-01-03)12 March 1946 (1946-03-12) PSI
Minister of Information
Amir Sjarifuddin
14 November 1945 (1945-11-14)3 January 1946 (1946-01-03) PSI
3 January 1946 (1946-01-03)12 March 1946 (1946-03-12) Masyumi
Minister of Finance14 November 1945 (1945-11-14)5 December 1945 (1945-12-05) Independent
5 December 1945 (1945-12-05)12 March 1946 (1946-03-12) Independent
Minister of Education
Todung Sutan Gunung Mulia
14 November 1945 (1945-11-14)12 March 1946 (1946-03-12) Parkindo
Minister of Justice
Soewandi
14 November 1945 (1945-11-14)12 March 1946 (1946-03-12) Independent
Minister of Social Affairs
Adjidarmo Tjokronegoro
14 November 1945 (1945-11-14)12 March 1946 (1946-03-12) PSI
Minister of Health
Dr. Darma Setiawan
14 November 1945 (1945-11-14)12 March 1946 (1946-03-12) Independent
Minister of Welfare14 November 1945 (1945-11-14)5 December 1945 (1945-12-05) PSI
Soedarsono
5 December 1945 (1945-12-05)12 March 1946 (1946-03-12) PSI
Minister of Public Works14 November 1945 (1945-11-14)12 March 1946 (1946-03-12) Parkindo
Minister of Transportation
Abdoel Karim
14 November 1945 (1945-11-14)12 March 1946 (1946-03-12) Independent
Minister of Religious Affairs3 January 1946 (1946-01-03)12 March 1946 (1946-03-12) Masyumi
State Minister
Rasjidi
14 November 1945 (1945-11-14)3 January 1946 (1946-01-03) Masyumi
Junior Minister of Foreign Affairs
Harmani
14 November 1945 (1945-11-14)12 March 1946 (1946-03-12) Independent
Junior Minister of People's Security
Abdul Murad
14 November 1945 (1945-11-14)12 March 1946 (1946-03-12) PSI
Junior Minister of Defense
Soegiono Josodiningrat
3 January 1946 (1946-01-03)12 March 1946 (1946-03-12) Independent

Changes edit

There were several changes over the short life of this cabinet. On 5 December 1945, Finance Minister Soenarjo Kolopaking and Social Affairs Minister Adjidarmo Tjokronegoro resigned and were replaced by Soerachman Tjokroadisoerjo and Soedarsono respectively. On 3 January 1946, State Minister Rasjidi was appointed Minister of Religious Affairs, heading the new ministry established the same day. The following day, Muhammad Natsir took over Amir Sjarifuddin's job as Minister of Information. On 7 January 1946, Soegiono Josodiningrat was appointed to replace Junior Minister of People's Security Abdul Murad and the name of the ministry was changed to the Ministry of Defense.[4]

The end of the cabinet edit

The Sjahrir cabinet fell as a result of the conflict between the Struggle Front of opposition politician Tan Malaka and Sjahrir over the latter's readiness to compromise with the Dutch before their colonial army had left Indonesia. Tan Malaka demanded a cabinet of national unity which secured widespread public support, prompting Sjahrir's resignation on 28 February 1946.[5][6]

Notes edit

  1. ^ Kahin (1952) p169
  2. ^ Ricklefs (1982) p206
  3. ^ Simanjuntak (2003) pp. 52-54
  4. ^ Simanjuntak (2003) p25
  5. ^ Simanjuntak (2003) pp. 26-28
  6. ^ Kahin (1952) pp.175-176

References edit

  • Kahin, George McTurnan (1952) Nationalism and Revolution in Indonesia Cornell University Press, ISBN 0-8014-9108-8
  • Ricklefs (1982), A History of Modern Indonesia, Macmillan Southeast Asian reprint, ISBN 0-333-24380-3
  • Simanjuntak, P. N. H. (2003), Kabinet-Kabinet Republik Indonesia: Dari Awal Kemerdekaan Sampai Reformasi (in Indonesian), Jakarta: Djambatan, pp. 23–28, ISBN 979-428-499-8.