First Amir Sjarifuddin Cabinet


The first Amir Sjarifuddin Cabinet was the fifth Indonesian cabinet and was in office from 3 July to 11 November 1947.

Background

Following the resignation of the Third Sjahrir Cabinet on 27 June 1947, President Sukarno called a meeting with the leaders of the Masyumi Party, the Indonesian National Party, the Socialist Party and the Labour Party to ask them to form a cabinet. However, the party leaders were unable to agree to Masyumi's demands for senior ministerial posts that would have enabled it to dominate the cabinet. Finally, on 3 July, agreement was reached between the PNI, the Socialist Party, the Labour Party and the Masjumi breakaway party, the Indonesian Islamic Union Party, to support Amir Sjarifuddin as prime minister.

Composition

Nine of the ministers had served in the previous cabinet. The government was intended to be inclusive, with representation from all existing parties and groupings. In the absence of Masjumi, the PSII represented the Muslim bloc.

Cabinet leadership

On 11 November 1947, Amir reshuffled the cabinet to allow the inclusion of the Masjumi Party. This meant that the cabinet lasted only four months and eight days.