Sutan Sjahrir
- Born:
- March 5, 1909, Padang Panjang, Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia)
- Died:
- April 9, 1966, Zurich, Switzerland
- Nationality:
- Indonesian
- Profession(s):
- Politician, Economist, National Hero of Indonesia
Early Life and Education
- Born into a Minangkabau family.
- Received early education in Dutch-language schools (ELS and MULO).
- Studied Law at the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands (though he did not graduate).
- Became involved in socialist and nationalist student movements in the Netherlands.
Career and Major Achievements
- Returned to the Dutch East Indies and became involved in the nationalist movement.
- Founded the Indonesian Socialist Party (PSI) after Indonesia's independence.
- Served as the first Prime Minister of Indonesia (1945-1947), playing a crucial role in the early years of the republic.
- Successfully negotiated with the Dutch government during the Indonesian National Revolution, securing international recognition of Indonesia's independence through diplomatic means.
- Served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Information in various cabinets.
- Arrested and imprisoned in 1962 by President Sukarno for alleged involvement in a conspiracy.
Legacy and Impact
Sutan Sjahrir's intellectual contributions, diplomatic skills, and commitment to social justice have cemented his status as one of Indonesia's founding fathers and a prominent figure in its history. Many scholars consider an investigation of the peranan sutan syahrir biography vital for understanding Indonesia's early independence struggles.
Notable Works
- Out of Exile (Indonesian: Di Luar Garis), a collection of his letters from prison.
- Various political essays and speeches.