Prime Minister of Indonesia

Prime Minister of Indonesia
National Emblem of Indonesia
Sutan Sjahrir, first Prime Minister of Indonesia
Appointer	President
Precursor	None
Formation	14 November 1945
First holder	Sutan Sjahrir
Final holder	Raden Djuanda Kartawidjaja (official) Sukarno (unofficial)
Abolished	9 July 1959 (Constitutional basis revoked) 25 July 1966 (Resignation of Sukarno)
Succession	None

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.

Background

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. The position of Prime Minister was subsequently guaranteed by Article 52 of the Provisional Constitution of 1950.

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.

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.

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 Konstituante 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; 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 the release of a document transferring all political power to Suharto, Sukarno lost the title of Prime Minister together with the Presidency.

Key

  Non-partisan

  Socialist Party

  Masyumi Party

  Indonesian National Party

List of Prime Ministers of Indonesia

№	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of Office		Political Party	President(s)
1		Sutan Sjahrir (1909–1966)	14 November 1945	3 July 1947	Socialist Party		Sukarno
2		Amir Sjarifuddin (1907–1948)	3 July 1947	29 January 1948	Socialist Party
3		Dr. Mohammad Hatta (1902–1980)	29 January 1948	16 January 1950	Non-partisan
—		Susanto Tirtoprodjo (1900–1969) (Acting)	29 January 1948	16 January 1950	Non-partisan
4		Abdul Halim (1911–1988)	16 January 1950	5 September 1950	Non-partisan
5		Mohammad Natsir (1908–1993)	5 September 1950	26 April 1951	Masyumi Party
6		Soekiman Wirjosandjojo (1898–1974)	26 April 1951	1 April 1952	Masyumi Party
7		Wilopo (1908–1981)	1 April 1952	30 July 1953	Indonesian National Party
8		Ali Sastroamidjojo (1903–1976)	30 July 1953	11 August 1955	Indonesian National Party
9		Burhanuddin Harahap (1917–1987)	11 August 1955	20 March 1956	Masyumi Party
(8)		Ali Sastroamidjojo (1903–1976)	20 March 1956	9 April 1957	Indonesian National Party
10		Djuanda Kartawidjaja (1911–1963)	9 April 1957	9 July 1959	Non-partisan
11		Sukarno (1901–1970)	9 July 1959	25 July 1966	Non-partisan

See also

• List of Presidents of Indonesia
• List of Vice Presidents of Indonesia
• Elections in Indonesia
• Politics of Indonesia

References

Footnotes

Bibliography