# Committee of Nine (Indonesia)

The Committee of Nine, (Indonesian: Panitia Sembilan) formed on June 22, 1945, was created during the recess of the Investigating Committee for Preparatory Work for Independence (BPUPK) with the purpose of drafting the foundational principles for the future Indonesian state. Tasked with reconciling the differing views of the nationalist and Islamist groups within the BPUPK regarding what Indonesia's foundational state principles should be, the committee produced the Jakarta Charter on June 22, 1945, after many discussions and compromises. The charter declared Indonesia's independence and the state's principles namely belief in God, humanity, unity, democracy, and social justice. After modifications were made to the charter to ensure national unity and address the concerns of non-Muslim groups, such as removal of Islam-centered phrases, the Jakarta Charter was adopted as the preamble to the 1945 Indonesian Constitution. The changes were proposed by Muhammad Hatta during the August 18, 1945, BPUPK meeting, a day after Sukarno proclaimed Indonesian independence on August 17, 1945.

## History

The Japanese government, anticipating the end of its rule over Indonesia, established the Investigative Body for Preparatory Work for Independence (BPUPK) on March 1, 1945, to prepare the nation for independence by drafting the necessary documentation and forming the foundational structure of the new Indonesian state.
The BPUPK held its first session from May 29 to June 1, during which various proposals regarding the foundation of the state were discussed. These proposals came from three figures, namely: Sukarno, Muhammad Yamin, and Soepomo. Sukarno's proposal, which he named Pancasila, garnered the most support. His proposal included the following five principles:
* Nationalism (Kebangsaan Indonesia)
* Internationalism or Humanitarianism (Perikemanusiaan)
* Consensus or Democracy (Mufakat atau Demokrasi)
* Social Welfare (Kesejahteraan Sosial)
* Belief in One Supreme God (Ketuhanan yang Maha Esa)
Soepomo's proposal included:
* Unity (Persatuan)
* Family Principle (Kekeluargaan)
* Balance of the Physical and Spiritual (Keseimbangan lahir dan batin)
* Deliberation (Musyawarah)
* Social Justice (Keadilan rakyat)
Yamin's proposal included:
* Nationalism (Peri Kebangsaan)
* Humanitarianism (Peri Kemanusiaan)
* Belief in God (Peri Ketuhanan)
* Democracy (Peri Kerakyatan)
* Social Welfare (Kesejahteraan Rakyat)
However, Moh. Yamin's phrased his ideas differently in writing. The phrasing is as follows:
* Belief in One Supreme God (Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa)
* A just and civilized humanity (Kebangsaan Persatuan Indonesia)
* The unity of Indonesia (Rasa Kemanusiaan yang Adil dan Beradab)
* Democracy guided by the inner wisdom in the unanimity arising out of deliberations amongst representatives (Kerakyatan yang Dipimpin Oleh Hikmat Kebijaksanaan dalam Permusyawaratan/Perwakilan)
* Social justice for all the people of Indonesia (Keadilan Sosial Bagi Seluruh Rakyat Indonesia)
Following the first BPUPK session, Chairman Radjiman Wediodiningrat formed a small committee, later called the Committee of Eight, to examine and discuss all suggestions and proposals, both oral and written, which related to the national foundation of the country. Chaired by Sukarno, the committee worked from June 2 to July 9 during the recess of the BPUPKI. To prepare for its report for the second BPUPKI meeting on July 10, the Committee of Eight initiated a gathering with 38 BPUPKI members to further discuss the tasks assigned to the committee. During this meeting, a multitude of proposals were raised, which were subsequently categorized into nine categories:
* Prompt independence for Indonesia
* National Foundation
* Form of the State (Federation or Union)
* Territories of Indonesia
* People's Representative Body
* Advisory Body
* Head of State
* Defense Issues
* Financial Issues
Suggestions specifically related to the foundation of the state were broadly classified as:
* Nationalism and Divinity
* Nationalism and Populism
* Nationalism, Populism, and Divinity
* Nationalism, Populism, and Familialism
* Collective prosperity, spirituality, and piety to God
* Almighty, with Islam as the state religion
* Nationalism, Populism, and Islam
* The Spirit of Greater East Asia
However, discussions became protracted due to disagreements between the Nationalist and Islamist factions, creating a deadlock. To resolve these differences, Sukarno formed on June 22 an informal committee tasked with drafting the preamble for the constitution at the end of the meeting. By consensus, the committee consisted of nine members and headed by Sukarno. As a gesture of respect to the Islamist faction, Sukarno made sure the composition of the committee was balanced, consisting of five nationalists and four Islamists. On the same day, the Committee of Nine met at Sukarno's residence on 56 East Pegangsaan Street in Jakarta, where they successfully drafted the Jakarta Charter. This charter, later adopted as the preamble to the Constitution, outlined the foundational principles of the state:
* Belief in one God, with an obligation for Muslims to follow Islamic law.
* Just and civilized humanity.
* The unity of Indonesia.
* Democracy guided by the inner wisdom of deliberations among representatives.
* Social justice for all Indonesians.
During the second and final meeting of the BPUPK between July 10 and July 17, three BPUPK members raised the issue of the Seven Words, which obligated Muslims to follow Sharia Law. They feared that it could cause fanaticism among Muslims, but the Islamists dismissed these worries.
Following the declaration of independence on August 17, 1945, the Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence (PPKI) was formed. The next day, the PPKI met to ratify the constitution. During the meeting, he suggested removing the seven words from the preamble. His proposal also included replacing "God" with "the one and only God' and changing "Mukadimah" to "Preamble." The requirement for the President to be Muslim was also suggested. The PPKI, with fewer Islamist members than the BPUPK, accepted his proposals without resistance, approving the amendments and ratifying the constitution on August 18.

## Members of the committee

The nine members of the committee were:
* Sukarno (Chairman/Nationalist)
* Mohammad Hatta (Vice-chairman/Nationalist)
* Alexander Andries Maramis (Member/Nationalist)
* Achmad Soebardjo (Member/Nationalist)
* Mohammad Yamin (Member/Nationalist)
* Abikusno Tjokrosujoso (Member/Islamist)
* Abdoel Kahar Moezakir (Member/Islamist)
* Agus Salim (Member/Islamist)
* Wahid Hasyim (Member/Islamist)