Third Sjahrir Cabinet - The End of The Cabinet

The End of The Cabinet

On 25 March 1947, Indonesia and the Netherlands signed the Linggadjati Agreement. This was a result of pressure on the Dutch from the British, who planned to withdraw the forces they had had in Indonesia since the end of World War II, to come to an agreement with the Indonesians. The agreement recognized de facto Indonesian sovereignty over Java and Sumatra and called for the establishment of a federal United States of Indonesia. However the two sides increasingly disagreed over the agreement and accused each other of violations. Following a Dutch ultimatum on 27 May 1947, which the Indonesian government saw as a threat of war, later clarified by Lieutenant General Governor van Mook, Sjahrir made a series of concessions, including interim Dutch sovereignty and control over foreign policy. Many left wing members of the cabinet, including Amir Sjarifuddin and Wikana condemned these concessions, and one by one the minor parties abandoned Sjahrir. They were subsequently joined by Masyumi. In the face of this opposition, Sjahrir resigned in the early hours of 27 July. Sukarno once again declared a state of emergency and asked the cabinet to remain in office until it was replaced.