Soepomo
Encyclopedia
Prof. Dr. Mr. Soepomo was Indonesia's first Minister of Justice, serving in the Presidential Cabinet from 19 August to 14 November 1945 and from 20 December 1949 to 6 September 1950.
, Central Java
, Dutch East Indies
on 22 January 1903. He came from a noble family, with both his maternal and paternal grandfathers high ranking government officials.
Soepomo began his schooling at the Europeesche Lagere School in Boyolali
in 1917, later studying at a Meer Uitgebreid Lagere Onderwijs in Surakarta
beginning in 1920. In 1923 he moved to Batavia
, where he studied at the Bataviasche Rechtsschool. After graduating, he initially took a job at a court in Surakarta, later going to Leiden, Netherlands to spend three years studying at Leiden University
under Cornelis van Vollenhoven
. He graduated in 1927, with his thesis, entitled "Reorganisatie van het Agrarisch Stelsel in het Gewest Soerakarta" ("Agrarian System Reform in the Surakarta Area"), containing both a description of the agrarian system in Surakarta and veiled critiques of Dutch colonialism
.
After his return from the Netherlands, Soepomo became a court employee in Yogyakarta, later being transferred to the Justice Department in Jakarta. While serving at the Justice Department, he took a side job as a guest lecturer at the Institute of Law there. He joined the youth group Jong Java, and wrote a paper entitled "Perempuan Indonesia dalam Hukum" ("Indonesian Women and Law"), which he presented with Ali Sastroamidjojo
at the 1928 Women's Congress.
As the Japanese occupation of Indonesia
was drawing to a close, Soepomo became a member of the Committee for Preparatory Work for Indonesian Independence and the Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence, working to frame the constitution
together with Muhammad Yamin
and Sukarno
.
After independence, Soepomo served twice as Minister of Justice, from 19 August to 14 November 1945 and from 20 December 1949 to 6 September 1950.
After his terms as Minister of Justice, Soepomo became a lecturer at Gadjah Mada University
, as well as the Jakarta Police Academy. He was also President of the University of Indonesia
. From 1954 to 1956, Soepomo was Indonesia's ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Soepomo died in Surakarta on 12 September 1958.
Biography
Soepomo was born in SukoharjoSukoharjo Regency
Sukoharjo is a regency in the Central Java province in Indonesia. Its capital is Sukoharjo, about 10 km south from Surakarta. This regency is bordered by Surakarta in the north, Karanganyar Regency in the east, Wonogiri Regency and Yogyakarta in the south as well as Klaten Regency in the west.-...
, Central Java
Central Java
Central Java is a province of Indonesia. The administrative capital is Semarang. It is one of six provinces on the island of Java.This province is the province of high Human Development in Indonesia and its Points Development Index countries is equivalent to Lebanon. The province of Central Java...
, Dutch East Indies
Dutch East Indies
The Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony that became modern Indonesia following World War II. It was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company, which came under the administration of the Netherlands government in 1800....
on 22 January 1903. He came from a noble family, with both his maternal and paternal grandfathers high ranking government officials.
Soepomo began his schooling at the Europeesche Lagere School in Boyolali
Boyolali
Boyolali is a regency in the eastern part of Central Java province in Indonesia. Its capital is Boyolali.-Geography:The capital also named as Boyolali and lies 27 km to the west from Solo....
in 1917, later studying at a Meer Uitgebreid Lagere Onderwijs in Surakarta
Surakarta
Surakarta, also called Solo or Sala, is a city in Central Java, Indonesia of more than 520,061 people with a population density of 11,811.5 people/km2. The 44 km2 city adjoins Karanganyar Regency and Boyolali Regency to the north, Karanganyar Regency and Sukoharjo Regency to the east and...
beginning in 1920. In 1923 he moved to Batavia
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
, where he studied at the Bataviasche Rechtsschool. After graduating, he initially took a job at a court in Surakarta, later going to Leiden, Netherlands to spend three years studying at Leiden University
Leiden University
Leiden University , located in the city of Leiden, is the oldest university in the Netherlands. The university was founded in 1575 by William, Prince of Orange, leader of the Dutch Revolt in the Eighty Years' War. The royal Dutch House of Orange-Nassau and Leiden University still have a close...
under Cornelis van Vollenhoven
Cornelis van Vollenhoven
Cornelis van Vollenhoven was a Dutch law professor and legal scholar, best known for his work on the legal systems of the East Indies....
. He graduated in 1927, with his thesis, entitled "Reorganisatie van het Agrarisch Stelsel in het Gewest Soerakarta" ("Agrarian System Reform in the Surakarta Area"), containing both a description of the agrarian system in Surakarta and veiled critiques of Dutch colonialism
Dutch Empire
The Dutch Empire consisted of the overseas territories controlled by the Dutch Republic and later, the modern Netherlands from the 17th to the 20th century. The Dutch followed Portugal and Spain in establishing an overseas colonial empire, but based on military conquest of already-existing...
.
After his return from the Netherlands, Soepomo became a court employee in Yogyakarta, later being transferred to the Justice Department in Jakarta. While serving at the Justice Department, he took a side job as a guest lecturer at the Institute of Law there. He joined the youth group Jong Java, and wrote a paper entitled "Perempuan Indonesia dalam Hukum" ("Indonesian Women and Law"), which he presented with Ali Sastroamidjojo
Ali Sastroamidjojo
Ali Sastroamidjojo, was the 8th and 10th Prime Minister of Indonesia. He was born in Grabag, Central Java on May 21, 1903 and died in Jakarta, March 13, 1976.-References:...
at the 1928 Women's Congress.
As the Japanese occupation of Indonesia
Japanese Occupation of Indonesia
The Japanese Empire occupied Indonesia, known then as the Dutch East Indies, during World War II from March 1942 until after the end of War in 1945...
was drawing to a close, Soepomo became a member of the Committee for Preparatory Work for Indonesian Independence and the Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence, working to frame the constitution
Constitution of Indonesia
The Constitution of Indonesia is the basis for the government of the Indonesia.The constitution was written in June, July and August 1945, when Indonesia was emerging from Japanese control at the end of World War II...
together with Muhammad Yamin
Muhammad Yamin
Muhammad Yamin was born in Talawi, Sawahlunto, in the heartland of the Minangkabau on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. He was the son of Oesman Gelar Baginda Khatib the Penghulu of Indrapura...
and Sukarno
Sukarno
Sukarno, born Kusno Sosrodihardjo was the first President of Indonesia.Sukarno was the leader of his country's struggle for independence from the Netherlands and was Indonesia's first President from 1945 to 1967...
.
After independence, Soepomo served twice as Minister of Justice, from 19 August to 14 November 1945 and from 20 December 1949 to 6 September 1950.
After his terms as Minister of Justice, Soepomo became a lecturer at Gadjah Mada University
Gadjah Mada University
The Gadjah Mada University is the largest and the oldest national university in Indonesia . founded on December 19, 1949; although the first lecture was given on 13 March 1946. The name was taken from the name of Majapahit's Prime Minister, Gajah Mada.UGM is located in Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa...
, as well as the Jakarta Police Academy. He was also President of the University of Indonesia
University of Indonesia
The Universitas Indonesia, is a state, comprehensive world class university located in Depok, West Java and Salemba, Jakarta, Indonesia. Universitas Indonesia is the oldest tertiary-level educational institution in Indonesia...
. From 1954 to 1956, Soepomo was Indonesia's ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Soepomo died in Surakarta on 12 September 1958.