Career
In 1915, he joined Sarekat Islam under Tjokroaminoto's leadership and soon became second in command; Salim and Tjokorminoto became known as the dwi tunggal (English: the two who are one) due to their close cooperation. Salim later replaced Tjokroaminoto after Tjokrominoto's death in 1934.
In his hometown he opened a public school for native Indonesians, or Hollandsch Inlandsche School. Three years later, he worked for Translateur Ladische Drukkery in Jakarta. In 1917 he also worked as Editor in Chief for the Neradja, and then as chief editor at Balai Pustaka. From 1917-1919, he became director of Bataviaasch Nieuwsblad, a Dutch-language newspaper.
During the same period Salim wrote extensively on human rights and Indonesian independence. In "Progress as a Property Case", published on 11 October 1917, he argued that the Dutch reason for denying Indonesian independence, the lack of economic advancement, was ignorant of human history, citing slavery as an example. As long as Indonesians lacked political rights and independence, he argued, they would never gain economic advancement.
Salim was a member of numerous committees for the preparation for Indonesian independence, including the Committee for Indonesian Independence Preparation, Committee of Nine, and the Formulator Committee; they wrote the preamble to Indonesia's constitution, including Pancasila.
After the failure of the Linggadjati Agreement with the Dutch in March 1947, a delegation chaired by Salim went to numerous Arabic countries to seek de jure recognition of Indonesia's independence. Facilitate by Salim's command of Arabic, they succeeded; Egypt recognize Indonesia's independence on 10 June 1947, Iran in July 1947, and Lebanon and Saudi Arabia on 24 November 1947. Upon his return to Indonesia, Salim was hailed as an exemplary diplomat.
Salim was also a member of the Indonesian delegation to the United Nations Security Council session at Lake Success, New York under Prime Minister Syahrir.
During his political career, he served as foreign minister during Sjahrir II Cabinet, Sjahrir III Cabinet, Amir Sjarifuddin I Cabinet, Hatta I Cabinet, and Hatta II Cabinet.
Salim died 27 days after his 70th birthday, on 4 November 1954.
Read more about this topic: Agus Salim
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