SUKARNO AND HATTA: THE GREAT DEBATE IN INDONESIA

Abstract

FROM September 10 to 14, 1957, a National Congress convened in Djakarta, Indonesia, for the purpose of reviewing the many problems of provincial separatism, political instability, and economic stagnation that have lagued the young Republic for the past two years.’ Perhaps tEe most important result of the widely heralded gathering, which was attended by political, military, and religious leaders from all the major areas in the country, was a joint statement issued by President Sukarno and former Vice-president Mohammad Hatta. In this declaration these ‘two “ grand old men ” of the Indonesian Revolution, who, for some time now, have been at odds with each other over the future course of their nation, pledged themselves anew “ t o continue to participate with all the people of Indonesia, with the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, and with all the organs of authority of the state in caring for and defending the principles of the Independence Proclamation of August 17, 1945, under whatever circumstances.” Since much of the political dissension in Indonesia has been attributed to the rift in what is commonly referred to as the dwitunggd (duumvirate, i.e., the joint national leadership of Hatta and Sukarno), evidenced by Hatta’s resi nation