Originating from Aceh, he studied in the Netherlands where he developed communist ties, became active in journalism, and took part in the Dutch resistance.

[3] During the German occupation of the Netherlands, Dalam took part in the Dutch resistance, managing the underground newspaper De Bevrijding ("Liberation") in Rotterdam.

[8] Around the same time, he was also editor-in-chief of the PNI's party newspaper, Suluh Indonesia, until his replacement by Mohammad Isnaeni in 1957.

[9] In the midst of the Western New Guinea dispute, president Sukarno appointed Dalam into the National Economic Command in April 1962,[10] before he was appointed as State Minister for Central Bank Affairs (i.e. Central Bank Governor) in the Third Working Cabinet on 13 November 1963.

[6] After the 30 September movement and Sukarno's fall from power, Dalam was arrested and accused of corruption amounting to Rp 97.3 billion through irregularities in duties paid by importers to obtain foreign currency.