The Classic Debate Between Two Ministers
Sumitro Djojohadikusumo and Sjafruddin Prawiranegara sparred over Indonesia’s economic direction and strategy. It became the first major intellectual debate among the country’s economists.
Ahmad Faiz
June 1, 2026
DAWAM Rahardjo still vividly remembered Sumitro Djojohadikusumo’s visit to the office of the Institute for Social and Economic Research, Education, and Information (LPE3S) one afternoon in mid-1989. Sumitro had come to express his gratitude after LPE3S published his dissertation as a book titled Kredit Rakyat di Masa Depresi (The People’s Credit System in the Depression).
The two men spoke at length that afternoon. During the co
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