 In late 1949 the Indonesian and Dutch governments held a conference lasting several months , which resulted in Dutch recognition of Indonesian sovereignty on 27 December 1949 . This led to the formation of the United States of Indonesia ( Republik Indonesia Serikat , or RIS ) , which consisted of sixteen member states . On 21 January 1950 Fakih replaced Masjkur as the Minister of Religious Affairs in the Halim Cabinet , representing the Republic of Indonesia ; at this point the republic consisted of Yogyakarta , Banten , and much of Sumatra . Working with the RIS Minister of Religious Affairs Wahid Hasyim , Fakih began instituting a standardised religious curriculum in the public schools and modernising education at religious schools . The two also worked to unite the ministries . On 17 August 1950 the RIS and its member states became a unified republic . Hasyim was kept on as minister of religious affairs , with Fakih appointed director of religious education . 
