Sahardjo

Dr. Sahardjo LL.B., (EYD: Saharjo; 26 June 1909 – 13 November 1963) was Minister of Justice of Indonesia during three cabinets, the First, Second, and Third Working Cabinets.

Biography

Sahardjo was born in Surakarta, Dutch East Indies on 26 June 1909. After dropping out from medical school, he went on to study law, graduating with a bachelour's degree in 1941. At first he taught at a private school, but he then became active in politics, joining and eventually leading the Indonesian Party (Partai Indonesia). He participated in framing the 1947 citizenship law and the 1953 law on public elections.

Sahardjo served as Minister of Justice for three periods. His first period was during the First Working Cabinet, from 10 July 1959 to 18 February 1960. His second was during the Second Working Cabinet, from 18 February 1960 to 6 March 1962, and his third was during the Third Working Cabinet, from 6 March 1962 to 13 November 1963; during the Third Working Cabinet he was also Deputy Prime Minister / Coordinator of the Interior. During Sahardjo's time as Minister of Justice, there was also "fierce but publicly muted" debate regarding legal fundamentals such as nulla poena sine lege ('no penalty without a law'). Together with Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Wirjono Prodjodikoro, he argued for greater protection of the freedoms of criminals and suspects; this eventually won general support, as the populace was displeased with the poor performance of Prosecutor General Goenawan.