Hakim received his early education in Tuban, Surakarta, and then Yogyakarta, before moving to Batavia.

During his studies, he joined nationalist youth organizations such as Indonesia Muda, for which he chaired the Jakarta branch, and later the Indonesian Students' Association.

[3] After Operation Kraai, he became Minister of Finance within Sjafruddin Prawiranegara's Emergency Government (PDRI).

With Prawiranegara (a Masyumi member) near the end of his term of office, the Indonesian National Party wanted to replace him with Hakim.

Following Hakim's lobbying, the West German government indicated its neutrality in the dispute, hence preserving the aid.