| Part of theIndonesian National Revolution | |
| Date | 3 July 1946 |
|---|---|
| Location | Surakarta |
| Participants | Sutan Sjahrir Sukarno Tan Malaka Muhammad Yamin Sudarsono Sudirman |
| Outcome |
|
The3 July Affair in 1946 was a political upheaval in the then newly formedRepublic of Indonesia. The Prime Minister,Sutan Sjahrir, was kidnapped by factions within the military opposing the Republic's negotiations with the Dutch during theIndonesian National Revolution. It ended with the release of Sjahrir and a re-structure of both the Republican government and the army.[1]
Following Allied occupation ofJakarta, Indonesian Republicans moved their capital to the city ofYogyakarta exposing armed units in the city to civilian political intrigue. PresidentSukarno's decision to commence negotiations with the Dutch was opposed by various Indonesian factions, which formed into the "Persatoean Perdjoangan" ("Union of Struggle") group led by communist,Tan Malaka.[1] Persatoean Perdjoangan's opposition to negotiation with the Dutch received sympathy from many sections of the armed forces, including its commanderSudirman and Major-GeneralSudarsono.[1]
On 27 June, Indonesian Army units under Sudarsono released Malaka and followers from prison inSurakarta. The Prime Minister,Sutan Sjahrir who was leading the negotiations with the Dutch, was arrested the same night in Surakarta and taken to the Sultan's Palace with other figures. Meanwhile, Sudarsono's troops occupied the city of Yogyakarta. Indonesian president,Sukarno declared martial law and demanded Sjahrir's release. Troops loyal to Sukarno advanced on Surakarta from Surabaya; and the loyal Siliwangi division sent troops to Yogyakarta.Adam Malik and other young radicals were arrested.
On 2 July, Sudarsono andMuhammad Yamin visited Sukarno and demanded that Sjahrir be replaced by communist leader Malaka. Sjahrir, supposedly still a captive, surprised everyone by walking into the room, and Sukarno ordered the arrest of Sudarsono and Yamin. On 3 July army units released Malik from jail and demanded thatSudirman be put in charge of security. The government was re-organised by Sjahrir to includeMuhammad Natsir,Amir Sjarifuddin, the Sultan of Yogya,Agus Salim, andDjuanda, and the army's Division III was restructured.