Page 152 - BUKU A CENTURY OF PARLIAMENTARY LIFE IN INDONESIA

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

The Presidential Decree on July 5, 1959 primarily emphasized that the
1945 Constitution had been reinstated to replace the Provisional Law.
As a result, many changes occurred in Indonesian state institutions as a
presidential system replaced the parliamentary system of government.
Hence, the day after the decree, on July 6, 1959, Prime Minister Juanda
immediately handed over his mandate before the parliament.

Following the issuance of the July 5, 1959 Presidential Decree, Lt. Gen. A.
H. Nasution, as Army Chief of Staff, also issued an executive order. The
order was addressed to all soldiers: enlisted, non-commissioned, and
active-duty soldiers, as well as and all TNI employees. The order was to
participate in carrying out the safety of the nation and state at important
times to realize a life under the 1945 Constitution. For the interest of the
state, concerning the maintenance of stability, security, and order, the
Army Chief of Staff through the Government Regulations in lieu of Law
(Peperpu) Information Coordinator confirmed that after the decree was
issued, the Danger Act, along with the prohibition on political activities,
would remain in effect.

After the July 5, 1959 Decree, the Constituent Assembly was dissolved
and the MPRS was immediately formed. In addition, the 1955 DPR,
formed based on the Provisional Law, was also affected by the decree.
The President asked the 1955 DPR to continue working but adapting its
operations to adhere to the 1945 Constitution. Through Presidential De-
cree Number 1 of 1959, dated July 22, 1959, concerning the House of Rep-
resentatives, the DPR continued to work as a legislative body to support
the decree’s implementation.

The Presidential Decree also regulated the formation of the Provision-
al People’s Consultative Assembly, the Provisional Supreme Advisory
Council, and the adjustment of the National Design Council. In addition,
several Presidential Decrees, namely numbers 1 to 4, were made accord-
ing to the results of the Work Cabinet meeting on July 22, 1959, and were
immediately promulgated on the same day. The Presidential stipulation
was issued in implementing a decree so that changes, dissolution, for-
mation, and appointment of leaders in state institutions supporting the
government were immediately implemented.

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