Adam Malik Batubara (Indone. Adam Malik Batubara) (July 22, 1917 – September 5, 1984) – the third vice-president of Indonesia in 1978-1983. Also, over the years, he served as President of the UN General Assembly, Speaker of the Council of People’s Representatives, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia. Renowned diplomat, one of the pioneers of Indonesian journalism.
Origin and early life
Born in Pematangsyantar, (North Sumatra, Dutch East Indies). After graduating from junior high school, he started working as a store owner, in his free time he read books, expanding his knowledge.
He became interested in politics early, at the age of 17 he became the chairman of the local organization of the Party of Indonesia (Partindo). In this position, he campaigned for the Dutch colonial administration to grant independence to Indonesia. For participation in this campaign, which violated the prohibition of the colonial administration on political actions, he was imprisoned. After his release, he moved from Pematangsiantar to Jakarta.
Carier start
After leaving his hometown, he worked as a journalist, wrote for the party magazine Partindo and newspapers Pelita Andalas… In 1937, together with his colleagues, he founded the Antara news agency, which later became the national news agency of Indonesia.
Played an important role in the events leading up to the proclamation of Indonesian independence. On August 16, 1945, Malik and other young supporters of independence kidnapped the leaders of the nationalist movement, Sukarno and Hatta. They brought them to the city of Rengasdenklok and demanded that they declare the independence of Indonesia. By this time, the Japanese occupation forces had left the country. Sukarno and Hatta proclaimed independence on August 17, 1945, soon Sukarno became the first president of Indonesia, Hatta – the first vice president. After independence, Malik founded the Murba Party and used it as a platform to promote his candidacy for parliament. He also served as the third deputy chairman of the Central National Committee of Indonesia.
Becoming a and politician, he began his career as a diplomat. In 1959 he was appointed Ambassador of Indonesia to the USSR and Poland. Through him, the Murba party carried out its with the Soviet leadership. In 1962, Malik was the chairman of the Indonesian delegation to negotiate the transfer of West Irian to Indonesia. While serving as Minister of Commerce, he was soon appointed Minister for the Implementation of Guided Economy in Sukarno’s cabinet.
Suharto’s rise to power
Together with Sukarno, whose policy was increasingly influenced by the Communist Party of Indonesia (CPI) every year, Malik founded the organization Preservation of the form of sukarnoism (indonesian BPS). This organization sought to give Sukarno’s ideas an anti-communist sense and to use the president’s name to fight against the KPI. Sukarno drew his attention to this; in 1965 BPS was banned. Together with General Abdul Haris Nasution (Ind. Abdul Haris Nasution) and Ruslan (Ind. Ruslan Abdulgani) Malik was actively criticized by the KPI because of his .
In 1966, it became clear that the President, by his decree known as „Supersemar”, transferred his powers to Lieutenant General Suharto. Although Sukarno remained in the presidency, the de facto power was in the hands of Suharto. A new cabinet was soon formed, in which Malik took over as foreign minister. Malik, Suharto, and Khamengkubuvono IX formed a triumvirate that sought to completely change Sukarno’s policies.
As foreign minister, Malik traveled to Western countries to negotiate the postponement of Indonesian debt payments. In 1966, he left the Murba party in order to better match the economic policies of the new regime, as Murba, as a socialist force, opposed foreign investment. In 1967, together with the foreign ministers of Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore, he signed an agreement to form ASEAN. At the time of the signing of this agreement, he proposed to create a united front to fight the communist expansion in Vietnam.
Career under Suharto
In 1968, Suharto was elected President of Indonesia. After his election, Malik retained the post of foreign minister. In 1970 he consolidated his position by joining the pro-government organization Golkar. Malik also wanted to represent Indonesia, replacing Suharto at meetings with top officials of other states, since the president himself did not express an interest in foreign policy in the early years of his rule.
As foreign minister, he had disagreements with generals close to Suharto (for example, General Maraden Panggabean) Indonesia’s foreign policy in Southeast Asia. The generals wanted Indonesia to cooperate more closely on security with its ASEAN neighbors, and they also advocated sending Indonesian troops to aid South Vietnam. On the other hand, Malik insisted that only economic and not military cooperation should be carried out within ASEAN. In this he was supported by Suharto. Malik also took a softer stance towards China, which the Suharto regime saw as an ally of the defeated Indonesian Communist Party.
In 1971 he was elected chairman of the UN General Assembly.
Took part in the events following the proclamation of East Timor’s independence from Portugal. He assured the Timor Leste delegation led by José Ramos Horta that Indonesia would not be involved in the Timor Leste crisis. Suharto initially maintained a non-interventionist stance towards the new state, but in 1975 the military convinced him of the need for an invasion. East Timor was occupied by Indonesian forces and incorporated into that country.
In 1977 he left the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs in connection with the transfer to the posts of Chairman of the People’s Consultative Congress (NCC) and Speaker of the Council of People’s Representatives (CNP).
Vice President
He did not hold the post of the Speaker of the Council of People’s Commissars and Chairman of the NCC for long. In March 1978, Suharto was re-elected president for a third term. He expected that Hamengkubuvono IX would again become vice president, but he refused to be appointed to the post. After reviewing several candidates, Suharto nominated Adam Malik as Vice President.
As vice president, Malik was not afraid to criticize the government. In 1979, he admitted that the existing regime violated the spirit of the 1945 constitution. In addition, Malik likened Suharto’s regime to feudalism, claiming that Suharto’s rule resembled that of the feudal kings of Java. In 1981, Malik commented on the corruption of the existing regime, calling it an „epidemic.”
In 1983, after the end of his term, he left the post of vice president. He was succeeded by Umar Virahadikusuma.
A. Malik died on September 5, 1984 in Bandung (West Java) from liver cancer.
Awards
- Indonesia – National Hero of Indonesia;
- Indonesia – Order of the Star of the Republic of Indonesia, 2nd class (1973);
- Indonesia – Order of the Mahaputra Star, 1st Class;
- Indonesia – Order of the Star of Mahaputra, 4th degree;
- UN – Dag Hammarskjold Prize.
Hobbies
Known as an avid collector of paintings and ceramics. An important place in his collection is occupied by a collection of Russian icons (which he bought as the Ambassador of Indonesia in Moscow). After the death of Malik, a museum was organized in his house, where his art collections are also exhibited.
