Page 130 - BUKU A CENTURY OF PARLIAMENTARY LIFE IN INDONESIA

EFFORT TO REUNITE THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA
(1950 – 1960)

tries in Asia and Africa through the Asia-Africa Conference, held in April
1955 in Bandung. This event had helped increase the prestige and role of
Indonesia in the international political arena.

The Asia-Africa Conference (KAA) generated a vital momentum in the
international political landscape that significantly impacted Indonesia’s
domestic politics. An example was the increasing international support
for Indonesia’s struggle to “reclaim” West Irian
from the Dutch. In addition, the KAA more or less
“mediated” and “calmed” diplomatic tensions
between several Asian countries that previously
took either side of the blocs in the Cold War.
The DPR as the
When he became Prime Minister of the United
States of Indonesia, Hatta decided that Indonesia government’s partner
should not side with any bloc but remain active representing the
in world peace politics, which became known as
“Free and Active Politics”. The DPR as the govern- people’s aspirations,
ment’s partner representing the people’s aspira- also played an active
tions, also played an active role in controlling and
supporting Indonesia’s foreign policy, including role in controlling and
expediting the West Irian return to Indonesia. supporting Indonesia’s

Various problems faced by the government and foreign policy,
the state, such as economic problems (trade, including expediting
shipping) also received significant attention from
the DPR. In addition, during this period, especially the West Irian return to
in 1958, Indonesia as a unitary state was subject- Indonesia.
ed to various rebellions that undermined the cen-
tral government’s authority and threatened the
existence of this country. Here we can see how
the DPR positioned itself to solve these crucial
problems.

The 1955–1959 period saw three cabinet or government changes
(Burhanuddin Harahap Cabinet, Ali Sastroamidjojo Cabinet, and Djuan-
da Cabinet). The Presidential Decree on July 5, 1959 marked Indonesia’s
return to the 1945 Constitution, which complicated the DPR’s position as
its members were elected under the 1950 Constitution.

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