Page 50 - BUKU A CENTURY OF PARLIAMENTARY LIFE IN INDONESIA

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

On August 15, 1939, Thamrin filed a motion demanding Nederlandsch-
Indië and Inlander be replaced by Indonesia, Indonesiër, and Indone-
sisch as statutory terms. On January 18, 1940, Abikusno, Thamrin, and
Amir Syarifuddin announced the Indonesian People’s Congress (KRI).
They called on all Indonesian youths to become propagandists for the
realization of an Indonesian parliament by forming committees, study
sites, and parades.

On August 23, 1939, Dr. H. J. Levelt, who rep-
resented the government, responded to the
motion. He stated that the government would
remove the word “inlander” in society and re- The government
place the term “Indonesier” or “inheemse” with
“bumiputra”. However, the government denied would remove the
the request to replace the term “Nederlandsch- word “inlander” in
Indië” with “Indonesia” as it would require an
editorial replacement of the Dutch East Indies’ society, and replace
Constitution. Such changes could only be made the term “Indonesier”
with the permission of the Staten Generaal, who,
at that time, could not be reached again. or “inheemse” with
“bumiputra”.

dpr.go.id 43