A People's Council (Volksraad) for the Dutch East Indies was provided for by law in 1916. But was procrastinated until the actual installation of the Council in 1918. It was a hesitant and slow attempt at democratisation of the Dutch East Indies. The power of the Volksraad was limited as it only had advisory powers. Although part of the council was elected only a small proportion of the population had voting rights.[1]
The Volksraad had sixty members: 30 members from various indigenous groups, 25 European and 5 from Chinese and other populations. The Volksraad was reconstituted every four years. The members of the Council were partly chosen, partly appointed by the colonial administration.[2]
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The Volksraad was founded in Weltevreden, Batavia, Java, as an infant form of democratic representation on 18 May 1918 by the "ethical" colonial chief executive Count van Limburg Stirum (1873-1948), who was Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies from 1916 to 1921.
In 1925 the Volksraad was made a semilegislative body; although decisions were still made by the Dutch government, the governor-general was expected to consult the Volksraad on major issues.
The last election was in 1939. In 1941 the Volksraad was dissolved during the Japanese occupation.[3]
In 1945 the Volksraad building located in Weltevreden was renamed the Pancasila building.
Famous Indo-European members of the Volksraad were Karel Zaalberg and Dick de Hoog.
Prominent Indigenous members include the Javanese Tjokroaminoto, Sumatran Agus Salim and Menadonese Sam Ratulangi.