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70Islam, Democracy and Human Rights in Contemporary Indonesiapolitical power among Muslim communities in facing postindependence realities, Natsir arose as one of the pioneers totake the initiative of creating an Islamic party in Indonesia. Thisparty, which was set up in Jakarta, eventually came to realitythrough long negotiations with political, social and religiousproponents. The Kongres Umat Islam Indonesia (the IndonesianMuslim Congress) held in November 1945, in Yogyakarta,decided to establish Partai Politik Islam Indonesia (PPII) as theonly Muslim party in this country. The term %u201cMasyumi%u201d, whichhad been popular since the Japanese occupation, was added tothe name, so it became Partai Politik Islam Indonesia%u201cMasyumi%u201d. Natsir held a position in youth affairs at thebeginning of this party. Four years later, he was elected as headof the party, replacing Dr. Sukiman Wirjosandjojo. Natsir ledthe party for ten years until Prawoto Mangkusasmito replacedhim in 1959. In his hands, Masyumi was the biggest politicalparty in Indonesia, or could even be regarded as the biggestMuslim party in a Muslim country. During this era, Masyumiwas comparable only to the Pakistan Muslim League underthe leadership of Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Liaquat Ali Khan.Based on his position as a member of Badan Pekerja KNIPat the start of independence, he was then elected as the ministerof information to Sjahrir%u2019s second Cabinet in January 1946. Hewas the longest-standing minister holding this post during thetime of revolution (1945-1949), a hard time with limited facilities.As the minister of information, he had to have good abilities inexplaining the Indonesian position in negotiations with theDutch, both those conducted in Indonesia and abroad. Hesometimes acted more than a minister of information inconducting this task. When Yogyakarta was invaded by the