Sidik Djojosukarto

Sidik Djojosukarto was born to a small merchant family on 7 June 1908, in Blitar, East Java, in what was then the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia).[1] Sidik began his education at a Hollandsch-Inlandsche School in Blitar, before then attending the Meer Uitgebreid Lager Onderwijs school in Kediri and later Madiun, where he graduated in 1927. In 1930, he graduated from the Ovts Handelsleergang trade school, and began working as a teacher in Surabaya's People's College. Sidik didn't last long as a teacher, being fired for his opposition to the policies of the colonial government.[2]

After being fired, he then transitioned to becoming a journalist and was later editor-in-chief for the Indonesian newspaper Berdjoeang. However, the newspaper was banned by the colonial government, as it was considered subversive and dangerous. In addition to his work as a journalist, Sidik was also involved in several pro-independence organizations. In his youth, he had been a member of the Jong Java and later Indonesia Moeda organizations.[2] During the 1930's, Sidik joined the Partindo and later Gerindo political parties.[1]

During the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies, Sidik became the local head of the Putera and later the Jawa Hokokai organizations in Kediri. In 1945, following the proclamation of Indonesian Independence, he was elected chairman of the local branch of the Indonesian National Committee, and was the head of the Indonesian National Party (PNI) branch in East Java. In 1946, he was appointed a member of the Central Indonesian National Committee (KNIP) in 1946, and in March 1947, he became a member of the KNIP's working body.[2]

Sidik Djojosukarto in 1949

In 1949, following PNI Chairman Sujono Hadinoto's departure to the Netherlands as a part of the Indonesian delegation to the Dutch-Indonesian Round Table Conference, he was appointed acting chairman of the party.[2] In 1950, Sidik was officially elected party chairman in the PNI's fourth congress in Yogyakarta. He represented the radical nationalist wing of the PNI, and during his leadership, the wing increased their control over the party, spearheading the drive for the creation of a unitary state, and opposing both the Hatta and Natsir cabinets.[1] After the collapse of the Natsir cabinet, Parliamentary Speaker Sartono was given the task of forming a government, however he returned his mandate to President Sukarno after not being able to form a cabinet.[3]

On the same day that Sartono withdrew, Sukarno appointed Sidik and Soekiman Wirjosandjojo of the Masyumi Party as formateurs.[4] Sidik announced a PNI program of action if its members entered the government, the program included the liquidation of the Netherlands-Indonesia Union and the revision of the Round Table Conference.[5] After several weeks of negotiations, both parties agreed to an equal share posts in the cabinet, with the Masyumi returning to the office of prime minister.[4] On 1 March 1952, Sukarno appointed Sidik and Prawoto Mangkusasmito of the Masyumi Party as for the creation of a new cabinet. When Prawoto and Sidik failed to reach agreement, Sukarno appointed former Labor Minister Wilopo as formateur.[6]

While visiting the Indonesian National Party branch in East Java, Sidik grew fatigues, and was brought to the Surabaya General Hospital on 6 September 1955, accompanied by future-PNI chairman Ali Sastroamidjojo.[7] There, the doctors diagnosed him with hypertension, caused by his campaigning activities for the upcoming legislative elections.[8] He died on 8 September 1955, at the same hospital.[9] His body was buried in his family's grave in Blitar on 9 September 1955.[10]

The burial ceremony was attended by President Sukarno, Sukarno's wife Hartini, and several other major figures. PNI vice chairman, Ki Sarmidi Mangunsarkoro, gave a short speech during the ceremony. During the speech he pointed to the heavy loss that the PNI has suffered due to Djojosukarto's death. In addition to the PNI, Mohammad Natsir of the Masyumi Party have a short speech on behalf of the party. He stated that the passing of Sidik Djojosukarto called Natsir a great loss for his family and his party.[10] His death became headline news in several PNI-affiliated newspapers, including the left-wing nationalist Berita Indonesia paper.[11]