List of Prime Ministers of Indonesia

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Prime Minister of Indonesia
Former political post
National emblem of Indonesia Garuda Pancasila.svg
National Emblem of Indonesia
SoetanSjahrir.jpg
Sutan Sjahrir, first Prime Minister of Indonesia
Predecessor None
Successor None
First officeholder Sutan Sjahrir
Last officeholder Raden Djuanda Kartawidjaja (official)
Sukarno (unofficial)
Appointer President
Office began 14 November 1945
Office ended 9 July 1959 (Constitutional basis revoked)
25 July 1966 (Resignation of Sukarno)

Indonesia, in its various incarnations, had the position of Prime Minister (Indonesian: Perdana Menteri Republik Indonesia) 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 Central Indonesian National Committee and the President. Following his 1959 decree, President Sukarno assumed the role and powers of Prime Minister until his resignation in 1966.

Contents

Background [edit]

The 1945 Constitution of Indonesia states that Indonesia is built around a presidential system; as such, there were no constitutional provisions for a Prime Minister. Nevertheless, beginning in 1945 a Prime Minister was chosen to head the Cabinet.[1] The position of Prime Minister was subsequently guaranteed by Article 52 of the Provisional Constitution of 1950.[2]

The Prime Minister, chosen by the President, was tasked with handling routine government business and being in charge of the Cabinet, responsible to the President and Vice President.[1]

In practice, the Prime Minister was responsible to the Working Body of the Central Indonesian National Committee (Indonesian: Komite Nasional Indonesia Pusat, or KNIP) and had to consult the President before making any major decisions. If the Prime Minister came into conflict with the KNIP or President, another could be chosen.[3]

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.[4]

On 5 July 1959, Sukarno issued a Presidential Decree declaring that, due to the inability of the KNIP to reach a two-thirds majority, 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;[5] later using the phrase "I am President and Prime Minister" as a dominant message in his speeches.[6] After the abortive coup against the government in 1965 and the release of a document transferring all political power to Suharto, Sukarno lost the title of Prime Minister together with the Presidency.[7]

List [edit]

Adapted from two sources.[5] [8]

# Name Portrait Term of Office Political Party
1 Sutan Sjahrir SoetanSjahrir.jpg 14 November 1945 – 20 June 1947 Socialist Party
2 Amir Sjarifoeddin Amir Sjarifuddin.jpg 3 July 1947 – 29 January 1948 Socialist Party
3 Mohammad Hatta Hatta-1.jpg 29 January 1948–16 January 1950
(Dutch prisoner from 19 December 1948 – 13 July 1949)
non-partisan
Susanto Tirtoprodjo Susanto tirtoprodjo.jpg 29 December 1949–21 January 1950 (Acting) non-partisan
4 Abdul Halim Abdul Halim.jpg 16 January 1950 – 5 September 1950 non-partisan
5 Muhammad Natsir Mohammad Natsir1.jpg 5 September 1950 – 26 April 1951 Masyumi Party
6 Soekiman Wirjosandjojo 26 April 1951 – 1 April 1952 Masyumi Party
7 Wilopo WIlopo.jpg 1 April 1952 – 30 July 1953 Indonesian National Party
8 Ali Sastroamidjojo Ali Sastroamidjojo.jpg 30 July 1953 – 11 August 1955 (1st time) Indonesian National Party
9 Burhanuddin Harahap Burhanuddin Harahap headshot.jpg 11 August 1955 – 20 March 1956 Masyumi Party
(8) Ali Sastroamidjojo Ali Sastroamidjojo.jpg 20 March 1956 – 9 April 1957 (2nd time) Indonesian National Party
10 Djuanda Kartawidjaja Djuanda.jpg 9 April 1957 – 9 July 1959 non-partisan
11 Sukarno Presiden Sukarno dyk.jpg 9 July 1959 – 25 July 1966 (by declaration; also as President) non-partisan

See also [edit]

References [edit]

Footnotes
Bibliography

External links [edit]