The Provisional Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia

Professor Supomo was for many years one of Indonesia's foremost scholars and by far its leading constitutional authority, having served as Minister of Justice in several cabinets. His death in 1958 was a great loss to Indonesian government and legal scholarship.

The Provisional Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia was only one of Professor Supomo's many important published writings, the main body of which dealt with Indonesian customary law. This book, however, is undoubtedly the most significant source on the Constitution of 1950. This Constitution remained operative for approximately seven years after the formation of the Unitary State in August 1950, being fully and officially superseded only in July 1959 with the return to the Constitution of 1945. Professor Supomo's commentary on the individual articles forms the most important analysis and interpretation of the 1950 Constitution to have appeared. Those interested in Indonesia's political development should therefore find this translation useful.
- George McT. Kahin, March 10, 1964