Monthly Indonesian Press Survey (1956): Perluasan Gerwani, Umi Sardjono, Setiati Surasto

Title: Monthly Indonesian Press Survey (1956) - Enlargement of Gerwani, Umi Sardjono, Setiati Surasto [HathiTrust coo.31924079086488] Source: HathiTrust Digital Library (full view, US government work), page OCR text via text-only view Volume: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924079086488 Date retrieved: 2026-10-17 Note: page-image PDFs could not be downloaded (HathiTrust temporarily blocked image downloads); OCR text only. Page #280 Njoto PKI (39) (Partai Komunis Indonesia, Indonesian Communist Party) Sudisman Sudjono Sudjito Tjugito East Java (14) Mrs Umi Sardjono (Mrs. Sukisman) Doctoral Candidate J. Piry D. N. Aidit Central Java (15) Mohamad Lukmanulhakim (M. H. Lukman) Engineer Sakirman Siswojo Njono Mrs Suwarto Suharti Sindudarsono Sudjojono R. Abdulhajat Master of Laws Suprapto Ferdinand Runturambi Sukatno Huseni Sudojo Supardi. Supeno Hadisiswojo Tjoo Tik Tjoen Djokosudjono Mrs Mudikdo Siti Aminah Mochsjam Hutomo Supardan S. Utarjo Singgih Tirtosudiro Djadi Wirosubroto Mrs Sundari Abdulrachman West Java (5) Amir Anwar Hartojo Prawirosudarmo Peris Pardede Sidik Kertapati Suhaimi Rachman Greater Djakarta (1) Salawati, Charlotte South Sumatra (1) Nungtjik, A. R. Central Sumatra (1) Bachtaruddin North Sumatra (2) Jusuf Adjitorop Engineer Thaher Thajeb Page #376 4. Youth of the Proclamation A meeting was held at Padang on 1 March 1956 under the direction of Suleiman. It was attended by youth who played a role in the 17 August 1945 revolution along with the Youth of the Proclamation (Pemuda Proclamator) who are still active in the armed forces and in the police. The present political situation, especially the abrogation of the Round Table Agreements, was discussed. It was decided to form a commission to organize articles of association for a Badan Permusjawaratan Pemuda Proklamator (Discussion Board of the Youth of the Proclamation). The basis of the body will be to defend and support the Republic of Indonesia, based on the proclamation of 17 August 1945 and the Constitution of 17 August 1945. The meeting also elected five persons to screen applications for membership in order to assure that no traitors to the revolution became members. The secretariat of the body includes: Suleiman, Z. Abidin Lelo, Aminullah, Jahja Djalil, and Sjamsu Anwar Tanah Timbun. The secretariat was given the authority to elect members of a plenary to draw up a work program. (Padang, Harian Penerangan, 3 Mar 56) 5. Gerwani The [PKI Sponsored) Central Sumatra Gerwani [Gerakan Wanita Indonesia, Indonesian Women's Movement) held a conference in Bukittinggi from 4 to 7 February 1956. It was attended by representatives from all the branches and by observers from the subbranches (anak tjabang) and sections (ranting). New officers were elected to the regional executive council. They are as follows: chairman, Maimunah; deputy chairman, Rohana R.; secretary, Rabajani, deputy secretary, Dariana; finance, Norani; organizations, Elyda; information and education, Sarina; women's rights, Dahniar; and children's rights, Aminah. There are 14,000 members in the Central Sumatra Gerwani and 216 sections. (Padang, Harian Penerangan, 22 Feb 56) E. Demands for Regional Autonomy 1. Central Sumatra Decisions taken by the conference of the provisional regional representative councils of the regencies and cities of Central Sumatra, which was held at Bukittinggi from 12 to 14 February 1956, include the following: The conference still held firmly to the decisions of the last conference and turned these problems over to a committee for discussion and work. (The decisions of the previous conference concerned problems of regency and municipal autonomy, the DPRST [not further identified), and the rejection of residencies Harian Penerangan reporter.) 102 Page #443 calls Java centrism, Njoto said that the bicameral system is suitable only for federal states. "When a unitary state such as Indonesia wishes to use the bicameral system, it does not help, but on the contrary destroys, the unity of the nation." Njoto also said that the Dutch, for example Van Blankenstein in the International Spectator, had accused the Republic of Indonesia of "Javacracy." Njoto pointed out that although the largest tribal group is Javanese, the language of the country is not Javanese but Malay. Moreover, abroad, the official Indonesian costume is often not Javanese. Njoto said, "In our country, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika' (One From Many), the motto of Indonesia, is not something merely aimed at but a living reality. Why must we destroy this situation?" Njoto also said that it is an elementary fact that there are about 50 million Javanese out of a total population of 80 million, so that it is inevitable that they should hold various offices. (Djakarta, Harian Rakjat, 6 Mar 56) PKI Meeting With Nonparty Candidates The Central Committee of the PKI recently met with all the nonparty candidates (in the last elections] living in Djakarta. Among the persons present at the meeting were: M. H. Lukman, Njoto, Sudisman, Sakirman, Moh. Munir, Sawirudin, F. Runturambi, Hartojo, Sidik Kertapati, Ismail Kartasamita, Mrs Umi Sardjono, Mrs Setiati, Henk Ngantung, Besuki Resobowo, S. Dharta, Master of Laws Suprapto, Engineer Taher Thajeb, and Engineer Setiadi. M. H. Lukman made a speech of welcome on behalf of the Central Committee to all the former candidates and especially to those who had contributed to the victory of the PKI in the general elections. He said that the basic reason for the PKI's victory was its policy of unity in opposition to colonialism. It is certain that the PKI will get 39 seats which will represent nearly all tribal and occupational groups, youth, veterans, and women. Of the 39 seats, 13 are occupied by nonparty candidates and 5 by women. After Lukman's speech, E. Uktolseja, S. Dharta, Mrs Umi Sardjono, Henk Ngantung, and Achmad Zakaria spoke. It is intended to hold meetings of this type on the provincial level also. (Djakarta, Harian Rakjat, 27 Feb 56) Page #817 According to Harian Rakjat of 31 July 1956, a subbranch of the BTI has been organized in Tandjung village, Central Sumatra, with Suparto and Sumiardjo as chairman. It was reported by Harian Rakjat on 23 July 1956 that a subbranch of the BTI has been organized at Sidodadi Bukit Batu, Stabat Subdistrict, Central Sumatra. Its secretary-general is Ridwan. On 4 July 1956, Harian Rakjat noted the establishment of a BТІ branch at Djembrana, Negara, Lesser Sundas. Its officers were given as follows: secretary-general, Ketua Weda; and deputy secretary-general, Ketua Tetetep. According to Suara Indonesia of 25 July 1956, an executive council of a BTI branch at Badung, Bali, was established about 1 July 1956. Principal officers of the new council are Ketut Sadia, secretary-general, and Wajan Rugih, deputy secretary-general. 6. Enlargement of Gerwani The 2 July 1956 issue of Harian Rakjat stated that a branch of Gerwani (Indonesian Women's Movement) had been established on 22 July 1956 for the city of Muaraenim, South Sumatra, with Mrs Djaliana Arsjad as chair- The branch's immediate program was reported by the paper to be expansion of membership and the holding of a congress. man. Gerwani is also expanding in Kalianget, East Java, according to the same issue of Harian Rakjat. It reports that an auxilliary branch of Gerwani has been organized there with the following officers: chairman, Mrs Sukamti Suwarno; secretary, Miss Saodah; and treasurer, Mrs Sebanudin. According to the same issue of Harian Rakjat, the Gerwani subbranch at Tembok, East Java, decided at a conference on 17 June 1956 to become the Gerwani auxiliary branch for the Tembok area. Its officers are chairman, Mrs. Sutomo; and first secretary, Mrs. B. Hadisumarto. Harian Rakjat of 12 July 1956 noted that a Gerwani subbranch with a membership of 35 has been formed in Giringan Desa, East Java. The paper reported that the subbranch is led by Mrs Sukidjo and Mrs Dinem. Harian Rakjat of 31 July 1956 reported that information had been received from Tjut Fatimah and Umi Kalsum, leaders of the West Atjeh branch of Gerwani, that four new Gerwani subbranches had been organized in Darul Makmur Subdistrict during July. Only three are listed as follows: the Simpang Deli Kampong subbranch with Jurkiah as chairman and Rukinem as secretary, the Tripa Kampong subbranch with Ajem as chairman and Taker as secretary, and the Simpang Deli. Factory dormitory branch with Tini as chairman and Dami as secretary. 15 Page #818 Harian Rakjat, 21 July 1956, reports that a subbranch of Gerwani has been established at Simpang Deli Kampong, North Sumatra, under the chairmanship of Nurkiah. The new members of the secretariat of the Bandjermasin branch of Gerwani are Warsini, Liek Banah, and Tulus Rahaju, according to Harian Rakjat of 30 July 1956. 7. Perbepbsi Subbranch Harian Rakjat of 9 June 1956 reports that a subbranch of Perbepbsi (All-Indonesia Veterans Association) has been organized in Gendongan, with Sumardi as chairman. The report notes that Perbepbsi subbranches have also been formed in Mangunsari, Tegalredjo Salatiga, Kradjan, and Tengaran. 8. South Sumatra Lekra Conference It was reported by Harian Rakjat on 16 June 1956 that the first South Sumatra Lekra (League of People's Culture) conference was held in Palembang from 20 to 22 May 1956. The paper said that the keynote address, given by M. A. Chanafiah from the Palembang branch of Lekra, advanced the thesis that present-day Sumatra is divided into three cultural areas: the land mass of South Sumatra plus the islands of Bangka and Billiton, the West coast north of Bengkulu Residency to the Central Sumatra border, and the island of Enggano in the Indian Ocean which is a remnant of the culture which existed before the exertion of Hindu-Javanese influences on the area. The article said that the long-term program of Lekra in South Sumatra is to undertake systematic training in all aspects of regional culture, to disseminate information on this culture, to participate in developing and enriching the Indonesian language, to increase literacy, and to undertake cultural research. The short-term program is to provide training in the arts in general and the regional arts in particular and to bring the cultural history of South Sumatra to life. The report concluded by stating that the program for the next year is to catalogue the tales, dances, and songs of the area and to collect materials on the languages in South Sumatra. The Cultural Office has expressed its appreciation of this effort and offered its aid. 9. Palembang Peace Committee Members Harian Rakjat of 28 June 1956 published the following list of the members of the Indonesian Peace Committee for the region of Central Sumatra at Bukittinggi: first chairman, A. Bakar St. Lembang Alam, primary school inspector; second chairman, Maimunah, teacher at a government upper middle school and member of the regional executive council of Gerwani; third chairman, M. Rasjid Manggis Dt Radjo, general chairman of the 16 -