A Protestant Christian,[3] Latuharhary was an early proponent of Moluccan inclusion in the Indonesian state and he was an active participant in the struggle for Indonesia's independence.

Born in Ullath, Saparua, Latuharhary moved to Batavia to pursue higher education, before receiving a scholarship to study at Leiden University.

He later resigned from his position as judge and became an advocate and politician, merging the Sarekat with the mainstream movement of Indonesian nationalism after initial rifts caused by the issue of religion in politics.

He moved to Jakarta and worked under the Department of Home Affairs during the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies to manage Moluccans in Java, being arrested three times for different reasons.

Following the proclamation of independence, he was appointed Governor of Maluku, but could not take power and instead organized Moluccans in Java to join the revolutionary cause.

[7][8] In June 1927, he graduated from Leiden, becoming the first Moluccan to receive a Meester in de Rechten (Master of Law) degree from the university.

[15] Latuharhary had previously participated in the PPPKI's congress in January 1932, where he delivered his preamble Azab Sengsara Kepoelauan Maloekoe (Suffering of the Mollucas) which described economic devastation by the Dutch East India Company.

[17] Throughout this time, Latuharhary had leaned towards a more federalist structure for the future Indonesian state, in accordance to others such as Sam Ratulangi, Tan Malaka and Mohammad Hatta.

He later resigned from being chief judge following an ultimatum from the colonial government to pick between his job or being part of the nationalist movement, and he became a lawyer instead.

Latuharhary won the case and gained local renown in East Java, and he was elected a member of the Regentschapsraad (municipal council) of Kraksaan.

In September 1942, Latuharhary moved to the recently renamed Jakarta, where he took care of the wives and children of Moluccan and Timorese soldiers who were arrested or had evacuated to Australia.

[27] After moving to Jakarta, Latuharhary also began working for the Japanese, under the Department of Home Affairs to manage the Moluccans in Java, holding responsibility for their actions.

[32] He was also opposed to the inclusion of the seven words in the Jakarta Charter – "dengan kewajiban menjalankan syariat Islam bagi pemeluknya" ("an obligation of sharia for Muslims") – due to its consequences for non-Muslims and to its impact on customary laws.

This appointment, however, did not come with any administrative duties as Latuharhary was unable to travel to the Moluccas at the time,[1][41] due to Australian troops already establishing themselves in the region shortly after the surrender of Japan.

[42] Later on, Latuharhary joined the Central Indonesian National Committee (KNIP) and was elected as one of its deputy speakers in the body's first session.

[47] Latuharhary spoke with Sukarno, requesting to be granted authority in Java and Sumatra to be able to manage Moluccans there, but he was initially denied.

[51][52][f] Latuharhary also arranged for a small expedition to the Moluccas – which briefly seized power in Buru until Dutch authorities sent reinforcements from Ambon and captured or killed the pro-Indonesian soldiers.

[54][55] Due to the establishment of the United States of Indonesia in the Linggadjati Agreement,[56] Sukarno abolished the Governor of Maluku's office in July 1947.

[57] Following a United Nations-brokered ceasefire, Latuharhary was part of the Indonesian delegation under Mohammad Roem which eventually led to the Roem–Van Roijen Agreement in May 1949.

[58] Politically, Latuharhary was affiliated with the Indonesian National Party (PNI), where he was a member of its central leadership in the organizational section.

[69] He was buried in the Kalibata Heroes' Cemetery the following day, with fellow Ambonese nationalist leader Johannes Leimena delivering his eulogy.

14,000 dwt general B-454 class cargo motor ship, built in Szczecin, Poland, and given to her Indonesian owners early in October 1964.