Hamengkubuwono IX - Sultan of Yogyakarta

Sultan of Yogyakarta

With the death of Hamengkubuwono VIII in October 1939, Hamengkubuwono ascended to the throne with a coronation ceremony on 18 March 1940.

His full title was Sampeyan Dalem Ingkang Sinuwun Kanjeng Sultan Hamengkubuwono Senopati Ing Alogo Ngabdurrakhman Sayidin Panotogomo Kholifatullah Ingkang Kaping Songo.

During his coronation speech, Hamengkubuwono recognized his Javanese origins and said "Even though I have tasted Western Education, I am still and will always be a Javanese."

The 28 years old young Sultan negotiated terms and conditions with 60 years old governor, Dr Lucien Adam, for four months from November 1939 to February 1940. The main points of contention were:

1. The Sultan did not agree that his prime minister ("Patih Danureja") would be also the Netherlands' employee to avoid conflict of interest.
2. The Sultan did not agree that half of his advisor would be selected by the Netherlands.
3. The Sultan did not agree that his small army would receive direct order from the Netherlands' army.

Eventually, the Sultan agreed to the proposal by the government of the Netherlands, after he received insight that Netherlands would leave Indonesia. In May 1940, the Dutch surrendered to the German Army, and in February 1942, the Netherlands surrendered Indonesia to the invading Japanese army.

During Hamengkubuwono IX's reign the office of the Sultan adopted a more democratic and decentralized approach. An example of this was the granting of more power to local village chiefs and general modernization of the way in which the court was managed. He also changed the ways in which the Sultanate held its traditional ceremonies; doing away with ceremonies which he considered obsolete. In 1942, the Dutch Colonial Government in Indonesia was defeated by the Japanese Imperial Army. As the Japanese Imperial Army consolidated their hold on Indonesia, many suggested that Hamengkubuwono IX evacuate himself and seek asylum in Australia or the Netherlands. Hamengkubuwono IX refused this offer, insisting that Sultan has to stay close to its people in times of crisis. In fact, he saved his people from being sent to Burma to become romusha forced-labors, by asking the Japanese to allow the building of a water canal (the Selokan Mataram).