2.1. Era of Hardships: Australian Aggression
The Resurrection of Nusantara: How Indonesia Rose from Ashes of Colonialism
Chapter 1
The 1955 Election has ended. Sukarno has won the Presidency. The Parliament have selected their leader for Prime Minister, which is Wilopo, again. Few months after post inauguration, Sukarno and Natsir did the Foreign relations, while Wilopo, this time, interestingly, Hatta is his deputy. Both pairs cooperated quite synchronized, aside from several clashes and debates. However, there was one thing they were afraid of.
On 31st of September 1955, the Australian government requested the government of Indonesia to conduct talks regarding the Papua Issue. It was held in Dili, part of former Portuguese East Indies. Sukarno appointed Adam Malik, a journalist and a politician, to represent Indonesia with H.V Evatts with Norman Makin as Australia’s representative.
The negotiation was a disaster. The Australian government strongly demanded Indonesia to withdraw any assistance for the Papuan separatists in the Eastern side, while the Indonesian denied such actions. Disagreement turned to brawls, and both went home with pique. This also gave attention to the international world. The United Nations had suggested this matters to take in New York. Still, none of the parties would open themselves up.
The next week, Australia government decided with their international broadcast to condemn Indonesia. Along with lines as ‘Fascist Scoundrels’ and ‘War hawks’, they humiliated Indonesia in front of the world. By then, tensions rise exponentially, and both sides knew that only one action would absolutely lead to war.
Indonesians by this time knew war is inevitable, and losing side is not what they want. Sukarno had thought about this for a while, reflecting from moments during Independence War. He then found out a solution, and notify the whole nation with a sudden radio broadcast in 30th of November 1955.
After the broadcast, millions queued for drafting into the military. What was once hoped for a pacifist nation, now preparing for war. Still, Indonesians never complained about that, as they rallied on the battle-cry of Sukarno.
Inside the Assembly, night-hours is being established. Many representatives have decided to stay on the Konstituante Building for a night. It is located in Bandung, initially used for the Asia-Africa Conference. Representatives have worked up to the limit, and it is paid off.
On 4th of April 1956, the finish draft, the National Constitution of Indonesia Year 1956 is being ratified. The whole world now knows that Indonesia is serious about democracy. Yet, good news is futile, as the powderkeg have already happened in exactly the previous month, March 4th 1956.
Edit:
The exact year of ratification is 1956, but after that many many amendments have been created within a three-year span that Legislates decided to change the Constitution entirely in 1959. In addition to it, many of the 1956 contents were Neutral-policy which harm the building Indo-American relations.
Yes, Indonesia have already been a parliamentary republic since 1956, but the real legal system and all of the others put into effect after 1959.
Chapter 1
The 1955 Election has ended. Sukarno has won the Presidency. The Parliament have selected their leader for Prime Minister, which is Wilopo, again. Few months after post inauguration, Sukarno and Natsir did the Foreign relations, while Wilopo, this time, interestingly, Hatta is his deputy. Both pairs cooperated quite synchronized, aside from several clashes and debates. However, there was one thing they were afraid of.
On 31st of September 1955, the Australian government requested the government of Indonesia to conduct talks regarding the Papua Issue. It was held in Dili, part of former Portuguese East Indies. Sukarno appointed Adam Malik, a journalist and a politician, to represent Indonesia with H.V Evatts with Norman Makin as Australia’s representative.
The negotiation was a disaster. The Australian government strongly demanded Indonesia to withdraw any assistance for the Papuan separatists in the Eastern side, while the Indonesian denied such actions. Disagreement turned to brawls, and both went home with pique. This also gave attention to the international world. The United Nations had suggested this matters to take in New York. Still, none of the parties would open themselves up.
The next week, Australia government decided with their international broadcast to condemn Indonesia. Along with lines as ‘Fascist Scoundrels’ and ‘War hawks’, they humiliated Indonesia in front of the world. By then, tensions rise exponentially, and both sides knew that only one action would absolutely lead to war.
Indonesians by this time knew war is inevitable, and losing side is not what they want. Sukarno had thought about this for a while, reflecting from moments during Independence War. He then found out a solution, and notify the whole nation with a sudden radio broadcast in 30th of November 1955.
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
Fellow Indonesians,
Indonesia is a young democratic nation, and we all adore her.
By all the hard work we have had, our feet on the road to democracy has begun, and we have made a good start. But we will not deceive ourselves with the false illusion that we have traversed the full extent of the road to democracy, if indeed any end there be.
The secret ballot, the free press, the freedom of belief, the votings in parliaments - these are all merely expressions of democracy. Freedom of expression has a guardian in a certain measure of prosperity, the achievement of freedom from want.
For us then, democratic principles are not simply an aim. The expression of desire inherent in human nature, they are also a means of providing our people with reasonable standard of living. The freedom of expression and the freedom of wants are indivisible, two interdependent souls in our body.
As with all other freedoms, freedom of expression is no absolute, its indiscriminate and unrestrained exercise could hamper harmonious growth of other freedoms, could hamper the harmonious growth from want, and thus sow the seed for the destruction of the fundamentals of human freedom itself.
To the famished man democracy can never be more than a slogan. What can a vote mean to a woman worn out by toll, whose children fret and all with the fever of malaria? Democracy is not merely government by the people, democracy is also government for the people.
In my opinion, democracy in Indonesia is as perfect as it can be. But different can we see from the eyes of the World.
Our confrontations with Australia has led us isolated, secluded, removed from the progress of the world. They may seem like a sheep, but they are wolves in sheep skin. Little by little, our beloved nation is antagonized. No harm is done now, but it will years from now.
I, as President of this brilliant nation, will not let our beloved country ruined by these rascals. They have tarnished our great nation for centuries, and we will not be tarnished once again.
I, your appointed President, has invited Wilopo into this serious issue. We discuss about things to revert this damage, and we have discovered one outstanding solution.
I hereby declare the Presidential Decree of 30th of November 1955
First, I, by the power as the President of the Federal Republic of Indonesia, will invoke the Assembly to revise the Constitution of Indonesia. We shall officially be a Parliamentary Republic. All state affairs shall be given to the Assembly, while I and Natsir will still a national symbol.
Second, I, by the power as the President of the Federal Republic of Indonesia, will invoke the Assembly to finish the Constitution in 6 months. The statehood appliance must be finished as well.
Third, I, by the power as the President of the Federal Republic of Indonesia, hereby declare the state of Indonesia under a partial mobilization. Conscription shall be enacted, and the Armed Forces shall be expanded.
By this decree, I hope the people of Indonesia will cooperate to fight against tyranny, oppression and intimidation from the Down Under.
Live Indonesia! Live and yet Live!
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
After the broadcast, millions queued for drafting into the military. What was once hoped for a pacifist nation, now preparing for war. Still, Indonesians never complained about that, as they rallied on the battle-cry of Sukarno.
Inside the Assembly, night-hours is being established. Many representatives have decided to stay on the Konstituante Building for a night. It is located in Bandung, initially used for the Asia-Africa Conference. Representatives have worked up to the limit, and it is paid off.
On 4th of April 1956, the finish draft, the National Constitution of Indonesia Year 1956 is being ratified. The whole world now knows that Indonesia is serious about democracy. Yet, good news is futile, as the powderkeg have already happened in exactly the previous month, March 4th 1956.
Edit:
The exact year of ratification is 1956, but after that many many amendments have been created within a three-year span that Legislates decided to change the Constitution entirely in 1959. In addition to it, many of the 1956 contents were Neutral-policy which harm the building Indo-American relations.
Yes, Indonesia have already been a parliamentary republic since 1956, but the real legal system and all of the others put into effect after 1959.
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