Page 74 - BUKU A CENTURY OF PARLIAMENTARY LIFE IN INDONESIA

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

BP decrees, five were regarding the rights to pro-
duce initiatives and one was regarding the right to
propose a motion.

In the uncertain revolutionary period, place of KNIP actively voiced
operation became an important issue to the BP
KNIP. From 1945 to February 1946, BP KNIP was the aspirations of its
located in Jakarta. However, safety reasons fol- various political party
lowing the Dutch’s return forced BP KNIP to find
a new location. Among its places of choice were and community group
Yogyakarta, Surakarta, Salatiga, Magelang, and members.
Purwokerto.

However, the five cities were already filled with
activities related to the republic. KNIP eventually
chose Purworejo in Central Java — a small and
relatively safe city during the revolution, close to
the seat of the Indonesian government in Yogyakarta. Once all of the sup-
porting equipment, facilities, and infrastructure had been prepared, on
March 23, 1946, BP KNIP held its inaugural session in Purworejo.

One of the results of BP KNIP’s inaugural session in Purworejo was the
establishment of the BP KNIP Liaison Committee on Jl. Cilacap No. 4, Ja-
karta. The purpose of the new committee was to establish a lasting rela-
tionship between BP KNIP in Purworejo and Syahrir’s cabinet in Jakarta.
Additionally, the session ratified several bills, including the Citizenship
Bill, which was later established as Law No. 3 in 1946.

Following Syahrir’s leadership, KNIP was led by Mr. Assaat between
1946–1949. In this period, KNIP continued its role as a legislative body to
assist the president prior to the establishment of the People’s Represen-
tative Council. In carrying out its duty, KNIP actively voiced the aspira-
tions of its various political party and community group members. As an
assistant to the president, KNIP held a much bigger role, including as
a kind of parliament that was involved in the decision-making process
important to the survival of the Republic of Indonesia.

Although there were always conflicts within the KNIP, especially from
the Unity of Struggle opposition during the revolution, the relationship
between KNIP and the presidential institution (the President, Vice Presi-
dent, Prime Minister, and his Cabinet) went well. KNIP had always sup-
ported government programs, even when the discussions were tough,

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