Page 30 - BUKU A CENTURY OF PARLIAMENTARY LIFE IN INDONESIA

FROM VOLKSRAAD TO THE CENTRAL INDONESIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
(1917–1949)

Despite being at the center of critiques from the leftists and facing many
other issues, the Volksraad still worked effectively and had three afdeling
(divisions). In its first months, Volksraad members addressed a contro-
versial topic regarding its official language.

In that regard, on May 25, 1918, during the second day of its sessions,
representatives of Budi Utomo along with other Volksraad members
proposed several motions, among which demanding that the use of
the Malay language not be sidelined.
Unlike Jayadiningrat, Van Hinloopen
Labberton did not specifically mention
the Malay language but proposed that
the council use one of the indigenous
languages.

The rationale for Jayadiningrat and Van
Hinloopen Labberton’s motion lay in the
practicality of statement delivery before
the council. If the indigenous represen-
tatives could have an equal opportunity
to express their opinions before the Volk-
sraad, they must feel free to discuss their
issues in their mother tongue.

Nevertheless, the Dutch denied the mo-
tion. J. E. Stokvis, a Dutch socialist figure
who always supported the bumiputra
cause, stated that using a different lan-
guage would cause severe communica-
tion chaos.

Until 1927, Volksraad’s only job was to provide recommendations, not cre- Volksraad Assembly Kick-Off
ate the laws or provide initiatives. The government could ask for recom- in 1929.
mendations only as needed, although, in some cases, recommendations (Source: Bataviaasch Nieuwsblad,
15 June 1929)
were required. Such recommendations included preparing a budget
for the Dutch East Indies and establishing general ordinances, includ-
ing conscription, high-level ordinances, and an ordinance regarding the
Volksraad election.

The Volksraad held two sessions every year, but the council could have
additional sessions in some cases. All session records were submitted
to Handelingen van den Volksraad. The council operated the same way

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