Page 32 - BUKU A CENTURY OF PARLIAMENTARY LIFE IN INDONESIA

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

perceived as overstepping the formed commission’s work. Moreover, the
government’s explanation about November-verklaring had raised sus-
picion that November-verklaring or November-belofte was made out of
concerns that the chaos that occurred internationally at the time would
ensue in the Netherlands too.

In one of its first sessions in 1918, the Volksraad made a voorstellen (pro-
posal). According to the historical records, the Volksraad had made 13
proposals, nine of which came from the bumiputra members.

Other than proposals, members of the Volksraad
could also request an amendment. In 1918, there
were at least 50 amendments, while in 1919, there
were 13. Between 1918–1919, there were 22 mo-
tions with various issues raised by the members
of the Volksraad. The problems varied, from farm- Other than proposals,
ing, taxation, government-owned companies,
heeren diensten (mandatory work), immigrant is- members of the
sues, voting rights, education, government regu- Volksraad could also
lation, transportation to healthcare.
request an amendment.

For example, Achmad Jayadiningrat, who repre- In 1918, there were at
sented the Regents Association, and Labberton least 50 amendments
proposed to use the Malay language alongside
Dutch as an official language. After the Governor- while in 1919, there
General approved and the majority voted for the were 13.
Jayadiningrat Motion, Malay would be used dur-
ing the Volksraad sessions alongside Dutch.

On December 17, 1918, members of Herzien-
ingscommissie (Review Committee) were ap-
pointed. Chaired by Prof. Carpentier Alting, the
members included H. Agus Salim, D. M. G. Koch, Kusumo Utoyo, Dar-
wis Datuk Majolelo, H. H. Kan, and Cramer. Unfortunately, neither the
Cokroaminoto Motion nor the Jayadiningrat Motion could be addressed
directly in the Volksraad as they kept getting postponed. The govern-
ment’s answer regarding both motions was to wait for the Herziening-
scommissie’s report.

Herzieningscommissie issued a report containing the amendment drafts,
one of which was regarding the path towards an autonomous Dutch East
Indies by establishing a parliament that would have the right to manage

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