Sjahrir, Sutan

Sjahrir, Sutan

 

Born Mar. 5, 1909, in Sumatra; died 1966, in Switzerland. Indonesian political figure, right-wing socialist leader.

The son of a feudal lord, Sjahrir received his education in Indonesia and the Netherlands. One of the leaders of the Socialist Party of Indonesia, he served several times as prime minister between 1945 and 1947. In 1948 he headed the group of right-wing socialists that split from the SPI to form the Indonesian Socialist Party (Partai Sosialis Indonesia). Sjahrir was known for his anti-Communist views. He supported the separatist rebellions in Indonesia in the late 1950’s. In 1962, Sjahrir was imprisoned, but he was soon freed and permitted to go to Europe.