Results of the Gerwis congress: name changed to Gerwani
De Vrije Pers report (3 Apr 1954) on the press conference after the second Gerwis congress (Jakarta, 25-31 March 1954). Gerwis changed its name to Gerwani, dropping "Sedar" after criticism; it opposed the demonstration ban and arrests of labour organisers, urged a marriage law against forced marriage, would field no ow
Results of the Gerwis congress: name changed to Gerwani (page version)
De Vrije Pers report (3 Apr 1954) on the press conference after the second Gerwis congress (Jakarta, 25-31 March 1954). Gerwis changed its name to Gerwani, dropping "Sedar" after criticism; it opposed the demonstration ban and arrests of labour organisers, urged a marriage law against forced marriage, would field no ow
Gerwani conference in Salatiga on implementing congress decisions
De Locomotief, 29 July 1954: the Salatiga branch of Gerwani, with Central Java provincial delegates and BTI, SOBSI and women's organisation representatives, discusses implementing the latest congress decisions. Sub-branches will be set up in every subdistrict capital. Gerwani fields no candidates in the elections but i
PKI candidates: prominent non-party figures agree to stand
De Vrije Pers item (20 Aug 1954): the PKI central committee announced that Prof. Purbodiningrat, Dr. Tjokronegoro and painter Hendra Gunawan agreed to be on its list of PKI and non-party candidates; it notes that Ir. Taher Thajeb, Mrs. Salawati Daud and Ngantung had earlier agreed.
PKI candidates and non-party people
Java-Bode, 20 August 1954, p. 2: PKI central committee announces non-party figures willing to stand on its list in the coming elections: Prof. Purbodiningrat, Dr Tjokronegoro and painter Hendra Gunawan, adding earlier announced Tahir Thajeb, Salawati Daud and Henk Ngantung. Salawati Daud, a Gerwis-linked figure, appear
Three non-party candidates on the PKI election list
Het Nieuwsblad voor Sumatra (21 Aug 1954, p.1): the PKI central committee announces that three non-party leaders (Prof. Purbodiningrat, Dr Tjokronegoro and the painter Hendra Gunawan) will appear on its election list, and recalls earlier announcement that Taher Thajeb, Mrs Salawati Daud and Henk Ngantung agreed to stan
Transmigration to South Sumatra; Medan cooperation body resolution
De Locomotief, 24 Aug 1954: a note on 50 families transmigrating from Purwokerto to South Sumatra, and a brief item that the Medan Badan Kerdjasama Nasional (BKN), to which PKI, PNI, SKI and Gerwani are affiliated, urged by resolution that the mayor be relieved of his post (text breaks off).
Medan cooperation body demands mayor's resignation
De Nieuwsgier, 24 Aug 1954: the Medan Badan Kerdjasama Nasional, to which PKI, PNI, SKI and Gerwani are affiliated, adopts a resolution urging the government to relieve Medan's mayor A.N. Djalaluddin. Same item as in De Locomotief of the same date.
Resolution against Medan's mayor
Java-Bode, 24 August 1954, p. 2: one-sentence item that the Medan Badan Kerdjasama Nasional (BKN), whose affiliates include PKI, PNI, SKI and Gerwani, passed a resolution urging the government to dismiss Medan's mayor A.M. Djalaludin.
Replacement of mayor requested (Medan)
Short Het Nieuwsblad voor Sumatra item (25 Aug 1954, p.2): the Medan national cooperation body BKN, to which the PKI, PNI, SKI and Gerwani are affiliated, adopted a resolution asking the government to remove Medan's mayor A.M. Djalaluddin from office.
Report on New Guinea
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1954-08-26, p. 2): first item on the Dutch UN report on New Guinea for 1953. A final line says the Badan Kerdjasama Nasional in Medan, affiliating PKI, PNI, SKI and Gerwani, urged the government to dismiss Medan's mayor A.M. Djalaluddin.
PKI and non-party candidates
Indische Courant voor Nederland, 26 Aug 1954, p. 2: the PKI central committee announces non-party figures Purbodiningrat, Dr Tjokronegoro and painter Hendra Gunawan will stand on its election list, adding that Taher Thajeb, Salawati Daud and Henk Ngantung had earlier agreed to be candidates.
Resolution against the mayor of Medan
One-sentence item, Indische Courant voor Nederland, 28 Aug 1954, p. 3: the Medan Badan Kerdjasama Nasional, whose affiliates include PKI, PNI, SKI and Gerwani, resolves to urge the government to dismiss Medan mayor A.M. Djalaludin.
Gerwani East Java conference ends with reception and performance
De Vrije Pers note (31 Aug 1954) on the Gerwani East Java conference, which ended with a reception and artistic performance at the Stadstuin in Surabaya. Topics discussed included the draft marriage law, the multi-wife pension regulation, the elections, food prices and pornographic reading matter and films.
Surabaya branch of People's Security Congress founded to secure the elections
De Vrije Pers report (6 Oct 1954) on founding a Surabaya branch of the Congress Keamanan Rakjat to secure the coming elections, chaired by Pemuda Rakyat's Moh. Rasjad. Ansor objected; SOBSI, Lekra, Gerwani, IPPI and others agreed, and Gerwani Surabaya was elected second treasurer.
Parliament on Sukarno's second marriage
Het Parool report (6 Oct 1954, p.108): parliament asks the government to clarify its stand on President Sukarno's second marriage, as the controversy causes the first rift in the year-old PNI-PKI coalition. A woman MP of the socialist fraction submitted the request, and parliament received a petition from women's movem
Sukarno's marriage
Tubantia/Twentsch Dagblad brief (7 Oct 1954): the Indonesian parliament asks the government's view on Sukarno's second marriage and, with communists voting against, agrees to consider a women's movement petition to deprive Muslim men of the right to marry more than one wife. Relevant to the polygamy campaign Gerwani an
Safe: People's Security Congress committee for East Java elections
Short De Vrije Pers note (22 Oct 1954): a People's Security Congress committee for the East Java elections was set up on 18 Oct at a meeting of 25 organisations; seat-holders include Gerwani, Perbepsi, Sarbupri and others.
PKI central committee decides to seek a cabinet seat in the Ali cabinet
De Volkskrant report (18 Nov 1954) citing Pedoman that the PKI central committee decided to seek the agriculture portfolio in the Ali cabinet, delegating MPs Ir. Sakirman and Mrs. Moedigdo (Mudigdo) to talk with the prime minister. Notes PKI plus SOBSI hold 21 votes. Gerwani is not named.
Agrarian affairs again: PKI central committee plenum chaired by Aidit
De Vrije Pers report (19 Nov 1954), citing Pedoman, on the PKI central committee plenum (8-10 Nov) chaired by Aidit and attended by Pemuda Rakyat, SOBSI, Gerwani and Perbepsi representatives. It decided to seek a place in the Ali cabinet, delegating MPs Sakirman and Mrs. Mudigdo, and not to make the agrarian portfolio
Position of members of parliament
Java-Bode, 24 November 1954, p. 2: report of the parliamentary second reading of the bill on the legal position of MPs. PKI member Mrs Mudigdo objected to the bill, holding that parliamentary immunity is part of the democratic system. Others (Soeparno, Kasman Singodimedjo, Abdulhajat) sought amendments and protection a
From parliament: legal position of members must be regulated
Het Nieuwsblad voor Sumatra (25 Nov 1954, p.2): parliamentary report on the bill on legal position of MPs. Mrs Moedigdio (Mudigdio) of the PKI objected to its content and argued parliamentary immunity is an aim of the democratic system that must be well maintained; other speakers include Murba, Progressive, PNI and Mas
Council sessions in Bandung
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1954-11-30, p. 2): notes on Bandung provincial, municipal and regency council sessions. A final paragraph says the Bandung branch of Gerwani backs the Ali-Arif cabinet because of its security policy, asks for the 'undemocratic' West Java provincial council to be dissolved, and calls for a very
Java-Bode 30 Nov 1954, page: Gerwani congress (whole page)
Whole-page OCR of Java-Bode, 30 November 1954, p. 2. The only Gerwani item is the Bandung branch congress: sympathy for Maisuri (forced marriage victim), call to abolish forced marriage, ban modern dances and immoral films, and support for the Ali-Arifin cabinet. Other articles cover West Irian at the UN, the Chinese a
Position of members of parliament
Indische Courant voor Nederland, 1 Dec 1954, p. 2: parliament's second reading of the bill on MPs' legal position. Mrs Mudigdo, here identified as PKI, opposes the bill's content and argues parliamentary immunity is part of the democratic system; others call for protection against arbitrary imprisonment.
Gerwani congress (newspaper page, early December 1954)
Whole newspaper page, Indische Courant voor Nederland, c. 1-4 Dec 1954 (columns interleaved). Gerwani-relevant item: Bandung branch congress backs Maisuri, opposes forced marriage and 'immoral' films, supports the Ali cabinet. Other articles: PRN women's congress, no-confidence motion, West Irian at the UN, Bogor confe
Non-party candidates on the PKI list for the 1955 elections
De Nieuwsgier item (15 Dec 1954, p. 1) listing new non-party candidates on the PKI list for the 1955 elections (Affandi, Basuki Resobowo, Witarsa and others). Earlier non-party names include Mrs. Salawati (Salawati Daud), Henk Ngantung and Mrs. S.D. Susanto.
Djakarta postpones the evil day (The Observer, 16 January 1955)
The Observer, 16 Jan 1955, p.7, Rawle Knox, 'Djakarta Postpones the Evil Day': impressionistic report from Jakarta on a lively, disorderly capital, the Ali Sastroamidjojo government's dependence on Communist support, Sukarno's drift from impartiality, the delayed first election and anti-Dutch boycotts. A passing quote
Theft by Dutch imperialism: one cow per farmer per year (Aidit speaks in Bandung)
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1955-05-31, p. 2): PKI election rally at Tegallega, Bandung, with tens of thousands present. Candidates Eddy Abdurrachman and Mrs. Suwarti open, she stressing women's interests; D.N. Aidit criticises post-RTC governments and the Madiun executions of Musso and Sjarifuddin without trial. Archive
Other speakers at the PKI meeting: Umi Sardjono explains choosing PKI
De Nieuwsgier report (31 May 1955, p. 2) on a PKI anniversary/election rally in Jakarta where Aidit spoke. Mrs. Oemi Sartono (Umi Sardjono), described as a non-party Gerwani member, said she chose the PKI because it is a choice of being for or against the people; non-party candidate Astrawinata also spoke.