Adam Malik is an Indonesian politician and former journalist. He was born in Pematangsiantar, North Sumatra, on July 22, 1917.
In 1937, Adam Malik became one of the founders of the Antara News Agency. In his youth, he was already actively involved in the national movement to fight for Indonesian independence.
Adam Malik served as Minister of Trade and Minister of Foreign Affairs under President Soekarno. In 1978, he was appointed Vice President of Indonesia and served until 1983 by Soeharto.
Adam Malik died on September 5, 1984 in Bandung due to liver cancer. He was later buried at the Kalibata Heroes' Cemetery in Jakarta.
Adam Malik's Early Life and Education
Adam Malik's speech at the United Nations as the Indonesian Foreign Minister | Historia/Hendri F. Isnaeni
Adam Malik was born on July 22, 1917 in Pematangsiantar, North Sumatra. He was the third of ten children born to Abdul Malik Batubara and Salamah Lubis. His father, Abdul Malik, was known as a wealthy trader in Pematangsiantar.
Adam Malik began his elementary education at the Hollandsch-Inlandsche School (HIS) Pematangsiantar, then continued at the Madrasah Sumatera Thawalib Parabek Religious School in Bukittinggi. However, he only studied for a year and a half before returning to his hometown to help his parents trade.
When he was 20 years old, Adam Malik moved to Jakarta with the spirit to advance and contribute to the nation. In Jakarta, he and several other figures initiated the establishment of the Antara News Agency in 1937.
Adam Malik, together with Sumanang, Sipahutar, Armijn Pane, Abdul Hakim, and Pandu Kartawiguna, played a role in establishing the Antara News Agency. The first office was located at Buiten Tijgerstraat 38 Noord Batavia (now Pinangsia II Street, North Jakarta), before finally moving to Pos Utara 53 Street, Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta. He served as the agency's editor and deputy director.
In 1945, Adam Malik joined as a member of the Youth Movement Leadership to prepare for Indonesian independence in Jakarta. During the Japanese occupation, he was active in the youth movement that fought for Indonesian independence through guerrilla action.
To support the leadership of Sukarno-Hatta, Adam Malik organized the people to gather at Ikada field, Jakarta. He was also elected as Chairman III of the Central Indonesian National Committee (KNIP), which was tasked with preparing the structure of the Indonesian government between 1945-1947.
Adam Malik was also one of the founders of the People's Party and the Murba Party, as well as a member of parliament. In the late 1950s, he was appointed by Sukarno as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Poland and the Soviet Union.
In 1962, Adam Malik led the Indonesian delegation in negotiations with the Dutch regarding the handover of West Irian. He also served as Coordinating Minister for the Implementation of Guided Economy.
When the influence of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) grew stronger, Adam Malik, along with Ruslan Abdulgani and General Nasution, were considered enemies of the PKI and were known as the right-wing trio who were counter-revolutionary. During the change of the Old Order regime, his position as opposed to the left group actually gave him an advantage.
In 1966, Adam Malik was known as one of the members of the new trio consisting of Suharto, Sultan, and Malik. In the same year, he left the Murba Party due to differences of opinion regarding the entry of foreign capital, and four years later, he joined the Golkar Party.
From 1966 to 1977, Adam Malik served as Deputy Prime Minister II / Minister of Foreign Affairs ad interim and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. In 1967, together with the foreign ministers of four other Southeast Asian countries, he led the effort to establish ASEAN.
Adam Malik was once trusted to be the Chairman of the 26th UN General Assembly in New York, making him the second Asian to lead the session. In 1977, he was elected as the Chairman of the DPR/MPR, and only three months later, he became the 3rd Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, replacing Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX.
Adam Malik's Passing
Flower-laying activities at Adam Malik's grave | Bnews.id
Adam Malik passed away in Bandung on September 5, 1984 due to liver cancer. His body was buried at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery.
After his passing, his wife and children established the Adam Malik Museum as a form of respect for his services. The Indonesian government also gave various awards in recognition of his contributions.
Adam Malik received various awards, such as the Bintang Mahaputera Class IV in 1971 and the Bintang Adhi Perdana Class II in 1973. In 1998, he was named a National Hero.
Sources:
Orami. (2023). Biografi Adam Malik, Salah Satu Pelopor Pembentukan ASEAN. https://www.orami.co.id/magazine/biografi-adam-malik
