Natsir, Muhammad (1908-1993)

Indonesian politician, a moderate nationalist; prime minister 1950-51. A prominent cabinet minister involved in negotiations with the Dutch for independence after World War II, Natsir became the prime minister of the unitary Republic of Indonesia. His failure to include the Partai Nasional Indonesia (PNI), the second most important party in the country, in his cabinet, forced him to resign after seven months. He subsequently became chairman of the Masjumi, a major political party and vehicle for modern Islamic ideas, and in 1958 vice president of the PRRI, the Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia opposed to Sukarno.