Page 129 - BUKU A CENTURY OF PARLIAMENTARY LIFE IN INDONESIA

A CENTURY OF PARLIAMENTARY LIFE
IN INDONESIA

NEW PARLIAMENT, NEW HOPE:

THE INDONESIA PARLIAMENT (1955-1957)

1955–1959 was an important period in the history of the Indonesian parliament.

During this period, the parliament was filled by representatives who the people
directly elected for the first time.

THE first election was overshadowed by the unstable condition of the
Republic, in particular the various security disturbances caused by the
emergence of an armed separatist group. This armed group spread ter-
ror and fear in society and attempted to delegitimize the central govern-
ment’s power. This condition was exacerbated by the occurrence of divi-
sions within the military.

Meanwhile, among the main parties, namely Masyumi, PNI, NU, and PKI,
there was also intense friction in their efforts to influence public opinion
and access power. Coalition and feuds between the party’s inconsistent
groups, fierce polemics between parties were visible in the period lead-
ing up to the election.

The conditions above were grounds for the international community’s
doubt that elections in Indonesia could be carried out properly. The fail-
ure of the election could discredit the Indonesian government and could
further plunge this nation into division and disintegration. The West, driv-
en by the Dutch press, believed that the elections in Indonesia would not
be successful and would cause various disturbances that hurt Indonesia.
This attitude was deliberately promoted by the Dutch, who had their in-
terests in some of Indonesia’s Dutch-controlled areas.

Fortunately, the 1955 General Election was a success. As a result, the
people’s representatives had strong legitimacy to voice the people’s as-
pirations and become a counterweight and opposition to the govern-
ment. Conditions like this have become the hallmark of a democratic (lib-
eral) political life. In addition, during this period, Indonesia succeeded in
organizing a major event by mobilizing the solidarity of third-world coun-

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