In this biography
Quick facts
- Born
- 12 August 1902
- Died
- 14 March 1980
- Birthplace
- Bukittinggi, West Sumatra
- Country
- Indonesia
- Nationality
- Indonesian
- Known for
- Co-proclaiming independence and shaping Indonesia’s republican and cooperative traditions
- Office
- Vice President, 1945–1956
- Historic act
- Co-proclaimer of independence
- Earlier role
- Prime Minister, 1948–1950
- Also known as
- Bung Hatta
Why this life matters
Hatta joined revolutionary legitimacy to economic thinking and constitutional government, offering an important counterpoint to Sukarno’s increasingly centralised presidency.
Timeline
Key moments
Led Perhimpunan Indonesia
Became a leader of the Indonesian students’ association in the Netherlands.
Sent into exile
Was exiled by the Dutch colonial government after sustained independence activity.
Co-proclaimed independence
Signed and read the proclamation with Sukarno and became first vice president.
Led the Indonesian delegation
Played a central role in negotiations that produced Dutch recognition of sovereignty.
Resigned as vice president
Left office amid growing differences over political direction and presidential power.
An international education
Hatta was born in Bukittinggi and studied economics in Rotterdam. Through Perhimpunan Indonesia, he argued that independence required disciplined organisation, mass education and international support rather than accommodation with colonial rule.
Revolution and negotiation
After years of prison and exile, Hatta returned to the centre of politics during the Japanese occupation. He and Sukarno proclaimed independence on 17 August 1945. Hatta then combined the vice presidency with cabinet leadership and diplomacy during the struggle for international recognition.
Constitutionalism and cooperatives
Hatta resigned as vice president in 1956 as his relationship with Sukarno and his concern about concentrated power deepened. Outside office, he remained influential as a writer and as the figure most closely associated with Indonesia’s cooperative movement and an economically independent citizenry.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions about Mohammad Hatta
- Who was Mohammad Hatta?
- Mohammad Hatta was a first Vice President of Indonesia. Hatta joined revolutionary legitimacy to economic thinking and constitutional government, offering an important counterpoint to Sukarno’s increasingly centralised presidency.
- What is Mohammad Hatta best known for?
- Mohammad Hatta is best known for co-proclaiming independence and shaping Indonesia’s republican and cooperative traditions.
- When and where was Mohammad Hatta born?
- Mohammad Hatta was born on 12 August 1902 in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra.
- When did Mohammad Hatta die?
- Mohammad Hatta died on 14 March 1980.
Sources and further reading
How this biography was checked
Core dates and offices are checked against the sources below. This profile was last reviewed on 8 September 2026.
