70 Years since Boven Digul<\/p>\n
From Merdeka<\/p>\n
No different from the German Nazi concentration camps full of
\ninhumane atrocities during World War II, was the Dutch
\nconcentration camp Boven Digul in Merauke regency, South Irian
\nJaya. TVRI commemorated the 70th anniversary of the concentration
\ncamp on Jan. 25 in its program Spektrum, Jan. 27, 1997.<\/p>\n
The concentration camp, led by Captain L. Th. Becking,
\nimprisoned Indonesia's independence leaders. Historical dates are
\nas follows:<\/p>\n
1. A decision by the Dutch Indies Governor General on Dec. 10,
\n1926, established the Boven Digul administrative subdivision.<\/p>\n
2. Captain L. Th. Becking was instructed to make preparations for
\nopening the land. On Jan. 27, 1927 Becking started construction
\nof the Boven Digul prison camp which was divided into:<\/p>\n
a. a military complex<\/p>\n
b. an administration complex and<\/p>\n
c. a prison\/exile or isolation complex consisting of barracks.<\/p>\n
The barracks were later gradually reconstructed into kampong
\nhouses for among others Mohammad Hatta and Sutan Sjahrir.<\/p>\n
3. Additionally, the \"Wilhelmina\" hospital and an air field were
\nbuilt.<\/p>\n
Considering the German Nazi concentration camps have been
\npreserved as museums and tourist sites, I appeal to the Minister
\nof Tourism, Post and Telecommunications to do the same for the
\nhouses which imprisoned Bung Hatta and Bung Sjahrir and the
\nunderground prison cells. The minister should also make Boven
\nDigul an independence pioneering town in commemoration of
\nIndonesia's Independence Day on Aug. 17, 1997 proclaimed by Bung
\nKarno (Indonesia's first president Sukarno) and Bung Hatta
\n(Indonesia's first vice-president Mohammad Hatta) 52 years ago.<\/p>\n
B. WIBOWO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/70-years-since-boven-digul-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }