Mohammad Roem

Mohammad Roem ([moˈhamad ˈrʊm]; born Temanggung 16 May 1908 – died Jakarta 24 September 1983) was a diplomat and one of Indonesia's leaders in the Indonesian war for independence. During Soekarno presidency, he served as Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and later Minister of Home Affairs.

He was most notable for taking part in Roem – van Roijen Agreement during Indonesian revolution.

Early life

Roem was born in Parakan, Temanggung, West Java, on 16 May 1908. His father's name was Dulkarnaen Djojosasmito, and his mother's name was Siti Tarbijah.^[2] He moved to Pekalongan because Parakan was hit by an outbreak of infectious diseases like cholera, plague, and influenza.^[3] In 1915, he studied at Volksschool and two years later continued to Hollandse Inlandsche School until 1924.^[4][5] In 1924, he received a scholarship to study at the School tot Opleiding van Inlandsche Artsen ("school for the training of native physicians", STOVIA) after attending government examinations.^[5] Three years later, he completed the preliminary test and was transferred to Algemene Middelbare School, and graduated in 1930.^[6] After attending the admission test of Medical College, and was rejected, he turned to law, entering Rechts Hoogeschool in 1932 and obtained the degree Meester in de Rechten in 1939.^[7][5]

Career

During the Indonesian national awakening, he was active at several organizations such as Jong Islamieten Bond in 1924 and Sarekat Islam in 1925.^[8] During the revolution, he was a member of Indonesian delegation at the Linggarjati Agreement (1946) and Renville Agreement (1948). In 1949, he was also the leader of the delegation at the Roem – van Roijen Agreement, that discussed Indonesia's boundaries, and was signed on May 7, 1949.^[9]

As a state official, he served as interior minister in the Sjahrir III Cabinet, foreign minister during the Natsir Cabinet, interior minister during the Wilopo Cabinet, and deputy prime minister during the Ali Sastroamidjojo II Cabinet.^[1]

Personal life

Roem married Markisah Dahlia in 1932. They had two children; a boy, Roemoso, born in 1933 and a girl, Rumeisa, born in 1939.^[5]

Death

Roem died in September 1983 from a lung disorder, leaving a wife and two children.^[10]

References

Bibliography

• Insaniwati, Iin Nur (2002). Novita, Ita Dian, ed. Mohamad Roem: Karier Politik dan Perjuangannya, 1924–1968 [Mohamad Roem: His Political Career and Struggle, 1924–1968] (in Indonesian). Magelang: IndonesiaTera. ISBN 978-979-9375-51-3. 
• Kahin, George McT. (April 1984). In Memoriam: Mohamad Roem (1908–1983). Indonesia. 37. Ithaca, New York: Cornell Modern Indonesia Project. pp. 135–138.