Boven Digul and tourism

Boven Digul and tourism

From Merdeka

On Jan. 27, 1995 TVRI was airing a program which looked very similar to the Nazi's Concentration Camp in Poland during World War II, full of traces of atrocities and cruelties unknown to humanity before. On this date, the Dutch concentration camp in Boven Digul or Tanah Merah in Irian Jaya was 68 years old. It was in this camp the Dutch colonial government detained the Indonesian freedom fighters.

The concentration camp was built by the Dutch colonial government on Jan. 27, 1927 under the command of Capt. L Th Becking. The historical records are as follows;

1. Through the Decision of the Governor General of the Dutch Indies dated Dec. 10, 1926, Boven Digul administrative region was established.

2. Following the decision, Capt. Becking was ordered to make some preparations by opening forest areas. On Jan. 27, 1927, Capt. Becking completed the construction of Boven Digul concentration camp or prison which consisted of three units: military complex, government complex and exile complex in which barracks were built. It was in these barracks Hatta and Syahrir were detained.

3. In addition, Wilhelmina hospital and an airdrome were built.

The German Nazi concentration camp in Poland is now preserved as a museum and tourist attraction. In this relation I appeal to the Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications to make Boven Digul concentration camp a tourist attraction, in the context of welcoming the 50th anniversary of Indonesian Independence. Also Boven Digul can be "christened" Pioneer Town of Independence. Because it was as the sun rose in the eastern sky, free Indonesia was born on Aug. 17, 1945 as proclaimed by Sukarno and Hatta.

B WIBOWO

Jakarta