Indonesian Christian Party

Pre-independence

The first Christian party in the Dutch East Indies was the Christelijk Ethische Partij (transl. Christian Ethic Party), which was established on 25 September 1917.^[5] According to the constitution of the party, the party strives to make the statutes of God, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, nature and history, the foundation of the political life in the Dutch East Indies. At the formation of the party, it had around 800 members. The party also invited native Indonesians, which was a rarity for Dutch-majority party at that time. The party changed its name to Christenlijk Staatkundige Partei (transl. Christian Constitutional Party) on 1929. The party gained five seats in the 1935 Dutch East Indies Volksraad election, on which three seats to the native Indonesians, and two seats to Europeans.^[6]

Establishment

The party was established following the decree by the government on 3 November 1945 to form "as many political parties as possible" in Indonesia. The decree was an attempt by the government to eradicate rumors that stated that Sukarno and Hatta would make Indonesia a one-party state, governed by the Indonesian National Party. Six days after the decree, Christian politicians of Indonesia held a meeting to discuss the possibility of establishing a party for Christians. The meeting was held in the Pasundan Church. The Protestants sent Basuki Probowinoto, Todung Sutan Gunung Mulia, Fredrick Laoh, Wilhelmus Zakaria Johannes, J. K. Panggabean, Soedarsono, Maryoto and Martinus Abednego, while the Catholics sent Suradi and Hadi. After the delegates agreed to form a political party, the Catholic delegates withdrew from the meeting, giving the reason that they had to talk about it first with the leaders of the Catholic Church.^[7]

The meeting finally produced an agreement to form a party for Christians under the name National Christian Party (Indonesian: Partai Kristen Nasional). The name was proposed by Todung Sutan Gunung Mulia. The delegates chose Wilhelmus Zakaria Johannes as the chairman and Maryoto as the general secretary by acclamation. On 10 November 1945, the delegates declared the formation of the National Christian Party.^[8]

National Heroes of Indonesia

• Wilhelmus Zakaria Johannes, first chairman of the party
• Johannes Leimena, third chairman of the party
• Ir. Martinus Putuhena
• Izaak Huru Doko, nominated as the MP of the party from East Nusa Tenggara
• Silas Papare

Ministers

• Johannes Leimena, seated seven different ministerial positions from 1946 until 1966
• Ir. Martinus Putuhena, Prime Minister of East Indonesia (1950) and Minister of Public Works (1945–1947)
• Todung Sutan Gunung Mulia, Minister of Education (1945–1946)
• Albert Mangaratua Tambunan, Minister of Social Affairs (1966–1970)
• Wilhelm Johannis Rumambi, Liaison Minister (1959–1966), Minister of Enlightenment (1966)

Bibliography