70 Years since Boven Digul

From Merdeka

No different from the German Nazi concentration camps full of inhumane atrocities during World War II, was the Dutch concentration camp Boven Digul in Merauke regency, South Irian Jaya. TVRI commemorated the 70th anniversary of the concentration camp on Jan. 25 in its program Spektrum, Jan. 27, 1997.

The concentration camp, led by Captain L. Th. Becking, imprisoned Indonesia's independence leaders. Historical dates are as follows:

1. A decision by the Dutch Indies Governor General on Dec. 10, 1926, established the Boven Digul administrative subdivision.

2. Captain L. Th. Becking was instructed to make preparations for opening the land. On Jan. 27, 1927 Becking started construction of the Boven Digul prison camp which was divided into:

a. a military complex

b. an administration complex and

c. a prison/exile or isolation complex consisting of barracks.

The barracks were later gradually reconstructed into kampong houses for among others Mohammad Hatta and Sutan Sjahrir.

3. Additionally, the "Wilhelmina" hospital and an air field were built.

Considering the German Nazi concentration camps have been preserved as museums and tourist sites, I appeal to the Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications to do the same for the houses which imprisoned Bung Hatta and Bung Sjahrir and the underground prison cells. The minister should also make Boven Digul an independence pioneering town in commemoration of Indonesia's Independence Day on Aug. 17, 1997 proclaimed by Bung Karno (Indonesia's first president Sukarno) and Bung Hatta (Indonesia's first vice-president Mohammad Hatta) 52 years ago.

B. WIBOWO

Jakarta