756D.13/8–153
No. 248
Memorandum by the Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Johnson) to the Secretary of
State
Subject:
- New Indonesian Cabinet
The two dominant political parties in Indonesia are the Masjumi (Moslem) and the PNI (Nationalist). Each controls about 40 of Parliament’s 222 seats. Each, to gain control of the Government in the face of the other’s opposition, needs the support of minor parties such as the PIR (a moderate civil servants’ party—17 seats), PSI (Socialist—15), Nahladatul Ulama (conservative Moslem—17), Catholic—15, PKI (Communist Party) and solid leftist bloc—25.
Indonesia’s first cabinet, under Premier Hatta, was a Masjumi–PNI coalition, as were its third and fourth (Premiers Sukiman and Wilopo). Its second, under Natsir, was a Masjumi cabinet which could not survive PNI opposition. Indonesia’s fifth and current cabinet is for the first time dominated by the PNI, which relies heavily on minor, and very mixed, parties such as the PIR, and the Nahladatul Ulama, and especially on leftist parties close to the PKI, which will probably be very influential although not formally represented. The Masjumi and PSI are excluded.
The immediate issue which caused the resignation of the Sukiman cabinet June 2, 1953 was a PNI-PKI challenge of a land redistribution policy being carried out in North Sumatra under the Masjumi Minister of the Interior, Dr. Rum. The PNI group opposes ratification of the Japanese Peace Treaty (as a “pro-western” step in violation of Indonesia’s independent foreign policy), and favors the early establishment of an Indonesia embassy at Moscow. Although Indonesia has steadfastly honored the UN embargo against Communist China, despite a rubber surplus and a rice deficit, the PNI group may move to change this policy. The PNI group favors the nationalization of Shell properties in North Sumatra. On all of these issues it is opposed, in varying degree, by the Masjumi group. PNI–Masjumi strife is reflected in factionalism within the armed forces.
President Sukarno, in his surprise acceptance of this one-sided cabinet, is accused of having declared for the PNI. Vice President Hatta, and the influential former Minister of Defense, the Sultan of Djokjakarta, are probably opposed to such PNI dominance and certainly to such PKI influence. Prime Minister-designate Ali Sastroamidjojo, who has been Indonesia Ambassador to the United [Page 367] States, is regarded as more moderate and friendly to the U.S. than his PNI colleagues.1
The basic issue in the Indonesian political struggle for power is becoming the question of whether or not to cooperate with the Communists. The latter are playing a very effective popular front game. The PNI is non-Communist, but apparently believes it can cooperate profitably with the PKI. The Masjumi, the Socialist and the Christian parties have refused. They will constitute formidable parliamentary opposition, and conceivably may take to force if desperate.
- On July 31, the Chargé in Indonesia, Hohenthal, reported: “Cabinet will obviously be strongly leftist in both domestic and foreign policy and probably hostile to US interests.” (Telegram 113; 756D.13/7–3153)↩