VOC a sore memory 400 years after<\/p>\n
Leo Wahyudi S, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Wednesday marks the 400th anniversary of the Dutch East India
\nCompany or VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie).<\/p>\n
In the Netherlands extensive commemorations, to be attended by
\nthe Dutch Queen and other dignitaries, will be held to celebrate
\nthe institution which heralded the tiny European state's golden
\nera.<\/p>\n
But sentiments here could not be more contrasting.<\/p>\n
The advent of the VOC era in 1602 marked the darkest period of
\nmore than three centuries of Dutch rule of the people and land we
\nnow call Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Indonesian and Dutch history clearly documents how the VOC
\nused its Octrooi rights -- which grants monopoly on trade, the
\nright to wage war and build fortresses -- to turn itself into a
\nsuccessful trading company by brutally colonizing the archipelago
\nalong with other poor indigenous populations around the world.<\/p>\n
According to the VOC Foundation, a Dutch heritage foundation,
\ncommemorations this year will not only mark VOC's 400th
\nanniversary but also the 350th anniversary of the VOC settlement
\nin the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.<\/p>\n
Understandably many here are concerned that these events will
\ngloss over VOC's sins of the past.<\/p>\n
The Directorate of History of the Cultural and Tourism
\nDevelopment Agency has taken the initiative to hold a seminar of
\nits own to put this period in its proper historical context.<\/p>\n
Historians Anhar Gonggong and R.Z. Leirissa will speak at the
\nMinistry of National Education building in Central Jakarta on
\nWednesday morning in a bid to remind people of VOC's dualistic
\napproach of not only trading but also colonizing.<\/p>\n
Others have decided to take a more aggressive approach, with a
\ngroup calling themselves the National Committee for the Defense
\nof Indonesian Dignity, pledging to hold a rally in front of the
\nDutch Embassy here.<\/p>\n
In their view they say that though VOC folded in 1799 due to
\nmismanagement and corruption, the Dutch government took over the
\ncompany's charter and possessions, sustaining the oppression of
\nthe Indonesian archipelago.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/voc-a-sore-memory-400-years-after-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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