Agree to Disagree: The Story of Debates among Founding Fathers
Differences of opinion among the founders of the nation colored discussion when determining the establishment of the state 75 years ago.
The first Indonesian youth congress in Yogyakarta on 10 November 1945.
Differences of opinion among the founders of the nation colored discussion when determining the establishment of the state 75 years ago. However, at the end of the discussion, there was no divisionamong them despite their difference in opinions. The national leaders at that time accepted with cool heads every agreement despite their differences.
Until Aug. 22, 1945, at the meeting of the Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence (PPKI), national leaders were still busy with discussions to determine a number of foundations in running the government. The discussion had been carried out in stages since May 1945 at a number of meetings held by the Investigating Committee for Preparatory Work for Independence (BPUPKI).
During the meetings, differences of opinion often occurred between national leaders. One or two had different views on substantial matters, while other differences were related to only the wording of the agreements. One of the major debates took place on July 10, 1945 during a meeting at the TyuuooSangi-In Building, now known as the PancasilaBuilding within the Foreign Ministrycomplex, Central Jakarta. At that time, the national leaders were determining the country\'s territories.
Particularly regarding Malaya, as Soekarnosaid that there had been a desire from the Malayan representatives to become part of Indonesia.
Muhammad Yamin proposed that the country\'s territories cover land formerly controlled by the Dutch East Indies and Papua, Portuguese Timor (now Timor Leste), the northern part of Kalimantan, and the Malay Peninsula (currently Malaysia). Soekarno agreed with this idea. Particularly regarding Malaya, as Soekarnosaid that there had been a desire from the Malayan representatives to become part of Indonesia.
However, Mohammad Hatta had another view. According to Hatta, Indonesia\'s territories should be limited only to the Dutch East Indies’ area. Other regions could join only if there was strong will from the local people so that Indonesia could avoid the practice of imperialism.
President Soekarno (center) and Vice President Mohammad Hatta (left) open Armed Forces Sports Week at Ikada Stadium, Jakarta, September 1952. Present on the honorary stage was Defense Minister Hamengku Buwono IX (right).
Substantial differences in views also occurred in the PPKI meeting on Aug.19, 1945. At that time, discussions were being made about the establishment of provinces in Indonesia.
When discussing the island of Sumatra, there was a clash of ideas between Soeroso, OttoIskandardinata and Mohammad Hatta. Otto Iskandardinata argued that Sumatra Island should only have one province. It was based on the consideration that the population on the island of Sumatra was not as large as in Java. So, it could only be governed by a deputy governor of other regions.
However, Soeroso and Mohammad Hatta rejected the idea. The two national figures considered that the island of Sumatra should have three provinces so that the territorial control could be shared more evenly.
"I do not agree with the proposed regulations. Don\'t just look at the population, but the size of the area that influences every government policy, "said Hatta as stated in the Minutes of the Meetings of the BPUPK and PPKI (Sekretariat Negara, 1995).
Chou En Lai was received by President Soekarno at a reception on 18 April 1955 in the evening at the Governor\'s Building.
The discussion then continued with the addresses of several members, such as Soepomo and Teuku Mohammad Hasan. The session then agreed that the island of Sumatra would be chaired by a governor and assisted by the national committee for the Sumatra region.
Writing
Apart from being substantial, the debate also concerned the writing of an agreement document. For example, during a discussion in in formulating the Constitutionduring a BPUPKI meeting on July 15, 1945 there was a difference of view between Muhammad Yamin and Soepomo.
Muhammad Yamin proposed that the territories of the country be stipulated in the draft Constitution. Similar suggestions were also made regarding the first capital city of the Republic of Indonesia.
"I reject all the reasons stating that national territories should not be stipulated in the Constitution and I am able to provide strong reasons that the territories should be clearly mentioned in our Constitution in line with the agreements we have made," Yamin said.
However, this view was opposed by Soepomo. According to him, it was not needed to stipulate the regions of the country and the capital in the text of the Constitution. "I have never known that national territories are stated in the Constitution," said Soepomo.
A similar topic was discussed again at the PPKI meeting on Aug. 18, 1945. Iwa Koesoemasoemantrialso suggested the inclusion of state territories in the Constitution. However, this proposal was rejected by Soekarno.
"In the modern era, regions are not included in the Constitution," said Soekarno refusing.
Another a heated debate on the writing of a document took place when Abikoesno Tjokrosoejoso proposed a change to the oath of office of President and Vice President on July 15, 1945. According to Abikoesno, a sentence that can bind the “soul and body” of all the people needed to be included in the oath. To that end, the President needed to take an oath to safeguard and defend the sovereignty of the nation with their“body and soul”.
However, this proposal was rejected by SoekardjoWirjopranoto, who considered that the oath should only comprise simple words, in accordance with the characteristic of Indonesia which was known for its simplicity.
"I feel and believe that with these very simple words and words, the President, who has made such an oath, will not leave the country or its sovereignty, but will defend the independence and sovereignty of the Indonesian state with their blood. Therefore, I do not agree with Mr. Abikoesno\'s suggestion, ”said Soekardjo rejecting it.
With this suggestion, the opening sentence in the text of the Constitution reads.
In the PPKI meeting on Aug. 18, 1945, differences in views had also occurred between Otto Iskandardinata and Soekarno. At that time, Otto suggested to remove the word "gateway" in the opening text of the Constitution. With this suggestion, the opening sentence in the text of the Constitution reads "... delivering the Indonesian people to the Indonesian state".
However, this proposal was rejected by Soekarno who was later supported by Muhammad Hatta, because, at the beginning of independence, the founders of the nation brought the people to the gates of the country so that the word "pintugerbang" (gateway) still needed to be maintained.
That\'s how the national leaders expressed their views. Clearly and firmly, disagreements were conveyed openly along with the underlying arguments.
Consensus
Even though disagreements often occurred, the spirit of unity seemed so strong in every debate that occurred both in BPUPKI and PPKI meetings.
The leaders always prioritizedto making a consensus in deciding important issues in their meetings. However, if the deliberations dragged on, voting was also often held during the BPUPKI meetings to reach an agreement.
One of the votingswereheld on July 10, 1945. At that time, a long discussion about the form of the government ended with voting to choose the republic or kingdom. Voting began with a moment of silence and prayer. Of the 64 votes collected, 55 of them chose the republic as form of government of the Indonesian state, while the other six voters chose the kingdom. After voting, all accepted with cool heads.
President Soekarno visits Bung Hatta while the latter was hospitalized at RSUP on 12 July 1963.
Another vote was held on July 11, 1945 to determine the territory of the country and the leadership of the state. Particularly for state leaders, voting was conducted twice, namely to determine the number of state leaders and the title for the leader of the country. Based on the voting, it was agreed that the state would be led by one person who would be called the president.
A voting was also carried out at a BPUPKI meeting to decide whether the territorial areas and capital areas to be included in the draft Constitution as well as the President and Vice President\'s oath.
The voting was held because so many different opinions expressed during the meeting. It was different from the PPKI meeting held after the proclamation of independence when all national leaders had a clearer picture of the concept of a state to be used.
However, several voting sessions were held during the PPKI hearings. One of them was when deciding whether or not to accept Hatta\'s opinion on the Prosperity Ministry on Aug. 19, 1945. Hatta proposed that the ministry be divided into two, namely the Department of the Economy and the Department of People\'s Food. In the voting, the majority of the participants (18 votes) rejected Hatta\'s view and agreed to the establishment of the Prosperity Ministry.
Since the BPUPKI meeting on May 29, 1945 until the end of the PPKI session on August 22, 1945, national leaders showed maturity in discussions despite differences of opinion. There wasno scolding, let alone throwing chairs, as often occurs in the current reformation era. All different views have the same spirit, namely Indonesian unity. (KOMPAS’ R&D)
