Once Indonesia became independent, Pringgodigdo served as state secretary under President Sukarno until January 1950; from June to September 1948 he also served as the commissioner for Sumatra. After the Dutch seized Yogyakarta in December 1948, Pringgodigdo was captured and flown to Bangka with other Indonesian leaders; he also reported that large parts of his archives were burned. From 21 January to 6 September 1950, he served as Minister of Justice, representing the Masyumi Party.