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HamengkubuwonoIX SultanofYogyakarta Biography

Indonesian politician, the first Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (1945-1988), the second Vice President of Indonesia (1973-1978) and the ninth Sultan of Yogyakarta (1940-1988) during the rule of Suharto. Born to Gusti Pangeran Haryo (Prince) Puruboyo and Raden Ajeng (Lady) Kustillah, when he was three years old he was named Crown Prince to the Yogyakarta Sultanate after his father ascended to the throne and became Sultan Hamengkubuwono VIII. Hamengkubuwono IX had a Western education. When he was four, he was sent away to live with a Dutch family. After completing his primary and secondary education in 1931, Hamengkubuwono IX left Indonesia to attend the Leiden University in the Netherlands where he took up Indonesian studies and economics. He returned to Indonesia in 1939. With the death of Hamengkubuwono VIII in October 1939, Hamengkubuwono ascended to the throne of the Sultanate of Yogyakarta with a coronation ceremony on 18 March 1940. In May 1940, the Dutch surrendered to the German Army, and in February 1942, the Netherlands surrendered Indonesia to the invading Japanese army. During Hamengkubuwono IXs reign the office of the Sultan adopted a more democratic and decentralized approach. Directly after the declaration of Indonesian independence on 17 August 1945, Hamengkubuwono IX together with Paku Alam VIII, the Prince of Pakualaman decided to support the newly formed Republic. Hamengkubuwono IXs support was immediately recognized by the Central Government with an appointment to the Life-Governorship of Yogyakarta with Paku Alam VIII as Vice Governor. Yogyakartas status was also upgraded to that of Special Region. In addition, Hamengkubuwono IX served as Yogyakartas Military Governor and was also Minister of the State from 1945–49. The Dutch returned to lay claim to their former colony. Hamengkubuwono IX played a vital role in the resistance. In early 1946, the capital of Indonesia was quietly relocated to Yogyakarta, in that time the Sultan gave the new government some funds. On 21 December 1948, the Dutch successfully occupied Yogyakarta and arrested Sukarno and Hatta, Indonesias first President and Vice President. Hamengkubuwono IX did not leave Yogyakarta and continued to serve as Governor. On 1 March 1949 at 6 am, Suharto and his troops launched the 1 March General Offensive. The Offensive caught the Dutch by surprise. For his part, Hamengkubuwono IX allowed his palace to be used as a hideout for the troops. For 6 hours, the Indonesian troops had control of Yogyakarta before finally retreating. The Offensive was a great success, inspiring demoralized troops all around Indonesia. On 30 June 1949, the retreating Dutch forces handed over authority over Yogyakarta back to Hamengkubuwono. Hamengkubuwono IX served in the Indonesian Government as Minister of Defense and Homeland Security Coordinator (1949–1951 and 1953), Vice Premier (1951), Chairman of the State Apparatus Supervision (1959), Chairman of the State Audit Board (1960–1966), and Coordinating Minister for Development while concurrently holding the position of Minister of Tourism (1966). In 1966, Hamengkubuwono IX was appointed Minister of Economics, Finance, and Industry and charged with rectifying Indonesias Economic problems. He would hold this position until 1973. In March 1973, Hamengkubuwono IX was elected as Vice President alongside Suharto who had also been re-elected to a 2nd term as President. As Vice President, Hamengkubuwono IX was put in chargeRead less