Mohammad Hatta

Mohammad Hatta
1st Vice President of Indonesia
In office 18 August 1945 – 1 December 1956
President	Sukarno
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX
Personal details
Born	August 12, 1902 Bukittinggi
Died	March 14, 1980 Jakarta
Political party	PNI
Spouse	Rahmi Rachim

Mohammad Hatta (August 12, 1902 - March 14, 1980) was born in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). He was Indonesia's first vice president, after being the country's Prime Minister. Known as "The Proclamator", he and a number of Indonesians, including the first president of Indonesia, Sukarno, fought for the independence of Indonesia from the Dutch East Indies. Despite his effort to gain Indonesian independence, he had studied in the Netherlands since 1921 until 1932. Moreover, since his early education, he studied in Netherlands-based school in Indonesia.

Mohammad Hatta's name often remembered as Bung Hatta ('Bung' is an affectionate title used to address colleagues, popular in early 1900s) and is still used by Indonesians.

Early life

Mohammad Hatta was born in Bukittinggi on 12 August 1902 into a prominent and strongly Islamic family. His grandfather was a respected ulema in Batu Hampar, near Payakumbuh. His father, Haji Mohammad Djamil, died when he was eight months old and he was left with his six sisters and his mother. As in the matrilineal society of Minangkabau tradition, he was then raised in his mother's family. His mother's family was a wealthy one that Hatta was able to study Dutch as well as finishing Qur'an after school.

He went to the Dutch language elementary school (ELS or Europeesche Lagere School) in Padang from 1913 to 1916 after he had finished Sekolah Melayu ('Malay School') in Bukittinggi. When he was thirteen, he passed an exam that entitled him to follow the Dutch secondary school (HBS or Hogere burgerschool) in Batavia (now Jakarta). However his mother asked him to stay in Padang because he was still too young to go to the capital alone. Hatta then entered junior secondary school or MULO (Meer Uitgebreid Lager Onderwijs).

During his spare time, he worked as part time in a post office. Normally, no MULO students were allowed to work, but he could work there because of the HBS exam qualification. Hatta was interested in football; he joined his school's football team. He was then made as the chairman of the football team. He broadened his contacts by using his position.

Hatta used to visit the office of the Sarikat Usaha (United Endeavor), led by Taher Marah Soetan. In the office, he read Dutch newspapers, particularly about political debates in the Volksraad (parliament) of the Dutch East Indies. It was at the age of sixteen that Hatta began interested in politics and national movements. He was chosen the treasurer of the branch of the Jong Sumatranen Bond (or youth association of Sumatra) which was first established in Padang in 1918.

Time in the Netherlands

In 1919, Hatta finally went to the HBS in Batavia. He completed his study with distinction in 1921, which he was allowed to continue to study at the Rotterdam School of Commerce in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He took economics as his major and earned doctorandus degree in 1932. The degree entitled him to follow a doctorate program. He then continued to pursue the doctorate degree, completed all requirements to get the degree, but his thesis had never been finished. Politics has immersed into Hatta's life.

In the Netherlands, Hatta joined the Indonesische Vereniging (or the Indonesian Union). In 1922, this organization changed its name into Perhimpunan Indonesia (or PI), the same meaning but in Indonesian language to show the national identity to the Dutch public. Hatta was the treasurer from 1922 to 1925, and then the chairman from 1926 until 1930. On his inauguration, Hatta delivered a speech with the title of "The Structure of the Global Economy and the Conflict of Power", of which he supported the idea for Indonesia to be non-cooperative against the Dutch colonial government in order to gain its independence.

Since then, Perhimpunan Indonesia was shifted from student organization into a political organization and had an unequivocal demand for Indonesia's independence. To express the demand, the organization published a magazine called Indonesia Merdeka (or Free Indonesia) of which Hatta was the editor. The magazine was first named Hindia Poetera (or the Son of the Indies), but its name was changed in 1924. PI was then recognized by the Union of Indonesian Nationhood Political Consensus (PPPI) as the main player of Indonesia's independence movement in Europe.

To gain more supports from other nations, Hatta attended congresses all over Europe. He always made as the chairman of the Indonesian delegates. In 1926, Hatta and PI joined the International Democratic Cogress for Peace in Bierville, France. Hatta attempted to popularize the term of Indonesia. It was a success that the congress agreed to use Indonesia instead of the Dutch East Indies. In February 1927, Hatta went to Brussels to attend a congress held by the League Against Imperialism and Colonial Oppression. He met many other prominent nationalists there, including Jawaharlal Nehru from India, Hafiz Ramadan Bey from Egypt and Léopold Sédar Senghor from Africa. Later in the year, Hatta joined another congress held by the International Women's League for Peace and Freedom in Switzerland. In that occasion, Hatta delivered a speech with the title of "Indonesia and the Matter of Independence".

By the middle of 1927, PI's activities had alarmed the Dutch authorities. In June 1927, they raided the residence of the PI leaders, searching through their rooms and putting PI members through interrogations. It was followed by the arrest of Hatta, Ali Sastroadmijojo, Nazir Pamontjak, and Abdul Madjid Djojoadiningrat in September 1927. After spending nearly six months in prison, Hatta and all the PI members were taken to trial in the Hague. They were permitted to explain themselves. Hatta took to the opportunity to explain Indonesia's nationalist cause. He made a speech to the court explaining that Indonesia's interests are in conflict with those of the Dutch's and that was why they could not cooperate. Hatta advocated cooperation between Indonesia and the Netherlands but only if Indonesia is independent and treated as an equal partner, not inequally because of its status as a colony. The speech became famous and it is known as the Indonesia Vrij or Free Indonesia speech.

In 1929, Hatta and other PI activities were released. After their release, they joined their activities with the Indonesian-based nationalist, Sukarno and his Indonesian National Party (PNI). Together, Hatta and Sukarno set up a cadre school to train people with nationalistic interests. In the school, potential cadres were trained in economics, the history of the nationalist movement and in the government administration. In July 1932, Hatta made his way home to Indonesia.

Independence Struggle

Struggle Against The Dutch Colonial Government

Hatta returned home to an Indonesia whose nationalist momentum had been slowed down by the arrest and the sentencing to prison of Sukarno. By the time Hatta had returned, most of the members of Sukarno's PNI had joined the Indonesian Party (Partindo) and more radical PNI members, together with the Dutch-educated Sutan Syahrir had banded together to form the New PNI. Although the initials were the same, the PNI in this case stood for the Indonesian National Education, showing that it will have focus on cadre training. In August 1932, after returning from the Netherlands, Hatta became the Chairman of the New PNI.

In December 1932, Sukarno was finally released from prison and the attention now turned on which party will Sukarno choose. Sukarno, who had wanted one united front to gain Indonesia's independence was conflicted, thinking that in choosing one over the other, he would encourage division. In this, he was criticized by Hatta, who was more pragmatic about differences which in this case was the conflict between Partindo's radical and mass party approach versus New PNI's moderate and cadre party approach. Sukarno insisted on negotiations to unify Partindo and New PNI but after failing, chose to join Partindo.

Between 1932 and 1933, Hatta wrote articles on politics and economy for New PNI's newspaper the Daulat Rakyat (The People's Authority). These articles were aimed towards training new cadres for Indonesia's leadership.

Hatta seemed to be extremely critical of Sukarno at this point in time. In August 1933, with Sukarno once again arrested and facing trial he wrote an article called "Sukarno Is Arrested". This was followed by articles entitled "The Tragedy of Sukarno" (November 1933) and "The Stance of a Leader" (December 1933).

The Dutch Colonial Government gave Sukarno a harsh punishment, exiling him to the island of Ende at Flores in December 1933. With Sukarno in exile, the Dutch Colonial Government now turned their eyes to the New PNI and its leadership. In February 1934, they made their move and arrested its leaders from its Jakarta branch (which included Hatta) and its Bandung branch. For a year they were imprisoned at prisons in Cipinang and Glodok, with Hatta spending his time in Glodok. During his time in prison, Hatta wrote a book entitled "The Economical Crisis and Capitalism".

In January 1935, it was decided that Hatta and his fellow New PNI leaders (including Syahrir) would be exiled to Boven Digoel in Papua. When Hatta arrived there, he was told by the local authorities that he had two options. The first option was to work for the Dutch Colonial Government as a civil servant for 40 cents a day with the hope of returning from exile and the second option was being an exile, receiving food but having no hope of returning from exile. Hatta commented if he had decided to take a job as a civil servant in Jakarta, he would have earned a lot of money and knowing that, there was no need to go to Boven Digoel to be paid cheaply. In saying this, Hatta chose the second option.

During his exile, Hatta continued to write articles, this time for the Newspaper Pemandangan (The View). He earned enough money from that to make ends meet at Boven Digoel and to support his colleagues who had financial troubles. Hatta also used his books (which filled 16 chests as it was packed to leave Jakarta) to give his colleagues lessons on economics, history, and philosophy. Later on these lessons would be made into books entitled "An Introduction on the Way to Knowledge" and "The Nature of Greek Thought" (four volumes).

In January 1936, Hatta and Syahrir were transferred to the Bandaneira in Maluku. There they joined more Nationalists such as Iwa Kusumasumantri and Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo. Hatta and Syahrir were given more freedom and was able to interact with the locals. Hatta and Syahrir also gave lessons to the local children, teaching them about politics and history.

In February 1942, Hatta and Syahrir were transferred to Sukabumi in West Java.

Japanese Occupation

By 1942, World War II was well under way and the Empire of Japan was fulfilling its imperial ambitions in East Asia and South East Asia. In March 1942, they began landing in Indonesia. Like their counterpart in Europe, the Dutch Colonial Government crumbled in the face of the invaders and by 9 March 1942, surrendered. On the 22 March 1942, Hatta and Syahrir were again transferred to Jakarta.

At Jakarta, Hatta met with Major General Harada, the Interim Head of Government. Harada asked Hatta to become an advisor for the occupational Government. Hatta accepted the job and then asked Harada if Japan was here to colonialize Indonesia. Harada assured Hatta that Japan would not do. In Hatta's eyes, an acknowledgement of an Indonesian Independence by Japan was extremely important. If Japan, with its ultra-nationalistic ideology was able to recognize Indonesia's Independence, it would put more pressure on the Allies (especially America and the United Kingdom) as representatives of democracy to do the same thing.

In July 1942, Hatta was reunited with Sukarno who after Flores had been transferred to Sumatra before the Japanese arrived and had also asked for his service. Although they had left off on a bad note, Hatta and Sukarno now had the common goal of working with the Japanese and then trying to achieve Independence from them. Together with Ki Hadjar Dewantoro and Muhammadiyah Chairman, Kiai Haji Mas Mansur, Hatta and Sukarno formed a quattuorvirate of leaders tasked by the Japanese occupational Government as their intermediary with the Indonesian people.

Hatta together with the other members of the quattuorvirate worked with much fervor under the Japanese Government. They echoed Japanese propaganda and presented the Japanese Empire as the protector, leader, and the light of Asia. At the same time however, Hatta continued to promote Indonesia's desire for Independence. In a speech in December 1942, Hatta said that Indonesia has been freed from the Dutch Colonial Government, but if they were freed only to be colonized by another power, he would rather see Indonesia drown to the bottom of the ocean.

On 9 March 1943, the Japanese Occupational Government approved the formation of the Centre of People's Power (Putera) with Hatta and the other quattuorvirate as the co-Chairmen of the association. Sukarno thought that this would be a way from which they could gain support for independence, instead the Japanese used this to their own cause and to start their romusha (forced labour) regime in Indonesia.

In November 1943, Hatta and Sukarno's efforts in cooperating with the Japanese Occupational Government was recognized by Emperor Hirohito who decorated them with awards in Tokyo.

As the tide of the war began to turn against the Japanese, the Japanese Occupational Government in Indonesia became desperate to maintain control. Putera was disbanded and replaced with Djawa Hokokai in March 1944. Although still Chaired by Sukarno, the Indonesians had less freedom of movement than they were in Putera. When defeat began looming on the horizon, Prime Minister Koiso announced in September 1944 that Japan will grant Indonesia its independence in the near future.

From then on, momentum began to gather for the independence of Indonesia, fuelled by the nationalist sentiments of Indonesians and supported by sympathizers from Japan such as Rear Admiral Maeda. In Maeda's case, he even set up a discussion forum called the Free Indonesia Centre and invited Hatta and Sukarno along to deliver lectures on Nationalism. This was followed in April 1945, by the formation of the Investigative Body for the Preparation of Indonesian Independence (BPUPKI). BPUPKI would meet over the next three months and would decide on things such as the constitution and which territories would be part of Indonesia.

Proclamation of Independence

By August 1945, Japan was on the eve of defeat. This month, the Japanese Government finally approved of Indonesian Independence and formed the Committee to Prepare Indonesian Independence (PPKI) to supervise it. On 8 August 1945, Hatta and Sukarno were summoned to Saigon, to meet with Marshal Terauchi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese forces in South East Asia. Terauchi told Hatta and Sukarno that the PPKI will be formed on 18 August and that Indonesia will be independent with Japanese supervision.

Hatta and Sukarno returned to Indonesia on 14 August. In Hatta's case, he had been waited on by Syahrir who had heard the news of the atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Syahrir told Hatta that they have to encourage Sukarno proclaim Indonesia's independence immediately, because in a couple of days the Japanese might not be there to provide supervision. Syahrir told Hatta not worry about the Japanese authorities because the people would be on their side.

Syahrir and Hatta then went to see Sukarno, with Syahrir repeating his argument in front of Sukarno. Hatta then spoke out, saying that he was worried the Allies would see them as Japanese collaborators. Sukarno shared this sentiment and Syahrir left the meeting out of frustration.

The next day, on 15 August 1945, Japan surrendered to the Allies. In Indonesia, the news was only a rumor and had not been confirmed. Hatta and Sukarno then went to the office of the Japanese Occupational Government in Jakarta, only to find it empty. Hatta and Sukarno then to Maeda who confirmed that Japan had surrendered to the Allies. Hatta and Sukarno seemed shocked that Japan had surrendered. During the afternoon, Hatta and Sukarno were confronted by Indonesian Youths who wanted the Independence to be proclaimed as soon as possible. A heated exchange followed, with Sukarno telling the youths to have more patience. Hatta, who was aware of his and Sukarno's superiority in the exchange, sarcastically commented on the Youths' inability to proclaim independence without Sukarno.

On the morning of 16 August 1945, the Indonesian Youths kidnapped both Hatta and Sukarno and took them to the town of Rengasdengklok where they continued forcing Hatta and Sukarno to declare Independence without any success. In Jakarta, there was panic as PPKI was due to start meeting that day and had planned to elect Sukarno as Chairman and Hatta as Vice-Chairman. When knowledge of Hatta and Sukarno's whereabouts became available and the Japanese surrender confirmed, Achmad Subardjo, a PPKI representative went to Rengasdengklok to break the news to Hatta and Sukarno. That night, Hatta and Sukarno returned to Jakarta where at Maeda's house, they worked on the Proclamation of Independence.

Finally, on 17 August 1945, at Sukarno's residence, Indonesia's Independence was finally Proclaimed in a short statement on paper signed by both Hatta and Sukarno.

Vice Presidency

Election and First Months In Office

On 18 August 1945, Hatta was elected as Indonesia's first Vice President by PPKI to accompany Sukarno who had been elected as the Nation's first President.

As Vice President, Hatta quickly established himself as the day-to-day administrator of the Government with Sukarno setting the Government policy and then trying to win support for the said policy. Although they had different styles of Governing, many agree that the style difference complimented both men's talents perfectly. They were nicknamed the Duumvirate (Dwitunggal) and until today they were hailed by many as the best President and Vice President partnership in Indonesia's history.

Hatta would made three important decisions in the Republic's early days. In October, Hatta gave the Central National Committee of Indonesia (KNIP) legislative powers in addition to its advisory role to the President. During the same month, Hatta also authorized the formation of political parties in Indonesia. The next month, in November, Hatta also made the decision which took away the President's role as Head of Government and transferred it to a Prime Minister. Hatta was able to make these crucial decisions because Sukarno was unable to attend the meetings in question, leaving Hatta in charge. For his part, Sukarno did not seem to have to problem with Hatta's decisions, at least not during the War of Independence.

Indonesian War of Independence

When the Dutch began sending their troops back to Indonesia, Hatta together with Syahrir and Sukarno all agreed that a diplomatic solution should be thought up. This caused tensions with more radical elements within the Government such as youth leaders Chaerul Saleh and Adam Malik.

In January 1946, Hatta and Sukarno moved to Yogyakarta, leaving Syahrir (who was by then Prime Minister) to head negotiations in Jakarta.

By the end of 1946, the diplomatic solution which Hatta and Sukarno had been looking for seemed to have been found. The Linggadjati Agreement, signed in November 1946 called for Dutch recognition of the Republic of Indonesia. However, territorial recognition would only be over Java, Sumatra, and Madura. In addition, this Republic would be part of a United States of Indonesia with the Queen of the Netherlands acting as the Head of State. However, before the agreement was finally ratified by the Dutch House of Representatives, some compromises were made without the consent of the Republic. In turn, Indonesia refused to implement its part of the deal, resulting in the first Police Action in July 1947.

During this time, Hatta was sent out of the country to look for support for Indonesia. One country that he went to was India, the homeland of his old friend, Nehru. Disguised as an aeroplane, co-pilot, Hatta sneaked out of the country to ask for assistance. There he asked Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi for help. Nehru assured him that India will support Indonesia and will make the support known at international forums such as the United Nations (UN).

In December 1947, negotiations were held aboard USS Renville and an agreement was signed in January 1948. This agreement was more favorable towards the Dutch and called for the Republic to recognize the territories which the Dutch had took during the first Police Action. The agreement caused outrage and caused Amir Syarifuddin to resign from his position as Prime Minister.

To replace Syarifuddin, Sukarno appointed Hatta as Prime Minister and declared that the cabinet will be an emergency one and will be answerable to the President instead of the KNIP. Hatta also took on the position of Minister of Defense.

As Prime Minister, Hatta had to make an unpopular decision. In August 1948, with the Republic struggling to pay its TNI troops, Hatta was forced to demobilize some troops.

In December 1948, the Dutch launched its second Police Action and focused their attack on the Yogyakarta. Hatta and Sukarno, instead of running away to fight guerilla warfare chose to remain in the city and was arrested. Sukarno transferred authority to the Emergency Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PDRI), before going into exile with all the other Republican leaders. Hatta was sent to Bangka.

Resistance continued under General Sudirman and TNI troops who fought guerilla warfare against the Dutch. In March, Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX organized the 1 March General Offensive and played an important role in causing international pressure to be put on the Netherlands. In May 1949, the Roem-Royem agreement was signed and the Netherlands promised to return the leaders of the Republican Government. In July 1949, Hatta and Sukarno made their return to Yogyakarta.

In August 1949, Hatta headed a delegation to the Hague for a Round Table conference. In November 1949, the formation of the United States of Indonesia was finally agreed. It will be a federation consisting of the Republic and 15 States which the Dutch had created during the National Revolution. The Queen of the Netherlands will continue to become the symbolic Head of State while Sukarno and Hatta would continue as President and Vice President. On 27 December 1949, the Dutch authorities finally recognized the sovereignty.

Hatta continued on as the Prime Minister of the United States of Indonesia and presided over the transition of the federal state to the unitary state, which was made official on 17 August 1950.

Intellectual Pursuits and Cooperatives

Indonesia soon adopted a constitution which advocated Parliamentary Democracy and reduced the President to the role of a ceremonial Head of State. That left Hatta with little to do as Vice President, especially since his term as Prime Minister was not renewed.

For his remaining time as Vice President, Hatta was regularly invited to deliver lectures in universities. Hatta also engaged in intellectual pursuits, writing essays and books about topics such as the economy and cooperatives. The idea of cooperatives being an integral part of economy would become a pet project for Hatta and he would become an enthusiastic promoter of the idea. In July 1951, on the occasion of Cooperatives Day, Hatta went on the radio to deliver a speech on cooperatives. In 1953, Hatta's contribution towards promoting cooperatives was recognized and he was given the title "Father of Indonesian Cooperatives" at the Indonesian Cooperative Congress.

Setting Indonesia's Foreign Policy Doctrine

Aside from Cooperatives, Hatta's other main contribution to the running of Indonesia is the setting of the Nation's Foreign Policy doctrine.

In 1948, Hatta delivered a speech called "Rowing Between Two Rocks". In the speech Hatta referred to the Cold War and the conflict between the United States and the USSR. Hatta said that Indonesian foreign policy has to look after its own interest first, not that of the US and the USSR. In saying this, Hatta wanted Indonesia to be independent in deciding its stance during the Cold War. Hatta also added that Indonesia should be an active participant in world politics so that once again, it would be Indonesia's interests that comes first.

This doctrine, which would become known as the "Independent and Active" doctrine, continues to to be the basis

Retirement from the Vice Presidency

In 1955, Hatta announced that when the new People's Representative Council (DPR) as well as the Constituante (A Government body commissioned to create a new constitution) was formed as a result of the year's Legislative Election, he would retire from the Vice Presidency. He announced this intention in a letter to Sukarno.

On the surface, it seemed as if Hatta was retiring for practical reasons. Because the Presidency was a ceremonial role, this made the office of Vice President pointless and Hatta thought that the country was wasting a lot of money paying his wages. There were also personal reasons, however. As a man who believed in democracy, Hatta was beginning to feel disillusioned with Sukarno's increasing autocracy and authoritarianism. Hatta had continued to advise Sukarno against taking this road but he was ignored. Hatta finally gave up and thought that he could no longer work with Sukarno.

On 1 December 1956, Hatta resigned from the Vice Presidency.

Post Vice Presidency

Impact of Retirement

Hatta's retirement caused shockwaves all around Indonesia, especially for those of non-Javanese ethnicity. In the eyes of non-Javanese people, Hatta was their main representative in a Javanese dominated Government.

The impact of Hatta's retirement was evident in the Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PRRI) rebellion which wanted to break feree from Indonesia and the Universal Struggle (Permesta) movement which asked for decentralization. In negotiations with the Central Government, both PRRI and Permesta listed the reunification of the Sukarno/Hatta leadership as one of the concessions that they asked from the Central Government.

Government Critic

Now outside of the Government, Hatta began to openly criticize Sukarno.

One of Hatta's criticism was Sukarno's lack of commitment towards national development. Hatta said that the revolution ended with the Dutch recognition of Indonesian sovereignty and that the Government's focus should be on Development. Sukarno outright rejected this idea and responded to it during his 1959 Independence Day speech by saying that the Revolution is not over.

In 1960, Hatta wrote a book called "Our Democracy". In it, he criticized Sukarno's Guided Democracy as another form of dictatorship. Sukarno immediately banned the books.

Transition from Old Order to New Order

During the tumultous time which saw the Presidency change hands from Sukarno to General Suharto, Hatta remained in the background. However, Hatta would break his silence in June 1970, just a week before Sukarno died. In a letter to Suharto, Hatta said that he was disappointed that Sukarno was put on house arrest instead of being taken in front of a trial. Hatta's reason for this was not malicious however, he just wanted things on G30S to be cleared up and give Sukarno a chance to defend himself because there are many who believed that he was not guilty.

New Order

Hatta's involvement with Suharto's Government came at the beginning of 1970 when protests were made on corruption within the Government. In January 1970, Suharto appointed Hatta, along with three others as members of a commission to investigate corruption within the Government. The results of the commission's investigation was never revealed to public until it was leaked in July 1970. It was then became apparent that the suspicion of the protesters were correct, there was widespread corruption within the Government. Controversially however, in August 1970, Suharto would disband the commission and allow for only two cases of corruption to be looked at by the Government.

In July 1978, together with Abdul Haris Nasution, Hatta set up the Institute for Constitutional Awareness Foundation (YLKB). An institution designed as a forum for critics of Suharto's regime. Suharto's Government moved quickly and did not allow YLKB to conduct its first meeting in January 1979. The YLKB did not give up. In August 1979 managed to hold a meeting in which DPR members included. Perhaps significantly, ABRI members attended the meeting. During the meeting, Nasution criticized the New Order for not fully implementing Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.

Publications

• Mohammad Hatta (1957). The Co-operative Movement in Indonesia. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press.
• Mohammad Hatta (1961). "Colonialism and the Danger of War". Asian Survey. 1 (9): 10–14.
• Mohammad Hatta (1965). "One Indonesian View of the Malaysia Issue". Asian Survey. 3 (5): 139–143.

Miscellaneous

• His daughter, Meutia Farida Hatta currently serves as Minister for Female Empowerment in Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Cabinet.
• Hatta did not want to get married until Indonesia was independent.
• Was post-humously awarded the title of "Proclamation Heroes" together with Sukarno in 1986.
• Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is named in his honor.

Further reading

• Anderson, Ben (1972). Java in a Time of Revolution: Occupation and Resistance, 1944-1946. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press. ISBN 0-8014-0687-0.

See also

• List of Vice Presidents of Indonesia