Dutch treat: Who pays for the pain?
Kornelius Purba, The Jakarta Post
A fifth-grader in Jakarta looked confused when she heard her father commenting on a radio report that the Netherlands, Indonesia's colonial master for 350 years, refused to recognize the independence date of her country on Aug. 17, 1945. According to the report, the Dutch government still insists that Indonesia's independence was "given" to Indonesia on Dec. 27, 1949. "Didn't the Dutch learn in schools that Indonesia became independent on Aug. 17, 1945?" the girl asked her uncle later.
For obedient and ordinary Indonesian citizens, who are obliged by the state to learn the country's history in their schools -- albeit often manipulated to glorify the leaders -- reading the Thursday's report of the Associated Press from the Netherlands, which the radio apparently quoted, may seriously wound their pride as citizens.
On the other hand, the report might have strengthened their pride by showing how forgiving their nation is.
How come the Netherlands, which had colonized Indonesia for the better part of 350 years, is still reluctant to recognize Indonesia's official independence date, even after 60 years, while the victims of the colonialism have acted in a much more mature way?
Indonesians -- who have been able to bury the past bitterness -- warmly greeted the then-Dutch queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard on Aug. 26, 1971 during their visit here. The same hospitable reception was given to Queen Beatrix in 1995. Due to strong domestic opposition in her country, Beatrix chose not to attend Indonesia's 50th anniversary, but instead arrived in Jakarta for an 11-day visit on Aug. 21, four days after the event.
No less important: Many Indonesians are strong supporters of the Dutch national soccer team and Dutch current and former star players, like Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Dennis Bergkamp.
What about the Dutch side? According to the Associated Press news service's report, "Of all the anniversaries marking the end of World War II, one of the most difficult for the Netherlands is the ragged conclusion of the war in Indonesia, the former Dutch colony that declared itself a sovereign nation 60 years ago this month."
It added that for the first time, the Dutch government would send a Cabinet-level official, Foreign Minister Bernard Bot, to Jakarta to partake in the Aug. 17 Independence Day celebrations -- a deliberate, yet grudging, move maybe meant to paper over the cracks of a longstanding historical dispute.
"The Dutch have maintained that the former Dutch East Indies remained under its colonial umbrella until (Dec. 27) 1949, when Holland yielded sovereignty following years of negotiations and "police actions" against what they called revolutionaries," AP reported.
In Indonesian history, two days after Japan -- which had occupied the country nearly 3.5 years -- surrendered to the Allies, founding fathers Sukarno and Muhammad Hatta declared independence of the new nation on Aug. 17, 1945.
Someone must be playing the fool here if indeed we were only really free in 1949.
In any case, a look at our TV soap operas and sitcoms as independence celebrations approach is also a bit confusing if one takes them seriously. If indeed the Dutch soldiers were all as cowardly and silly as our TV shows portray them, while native freedom fighters were all brave and resourceful, then surely they would not have been able to rule us for more than three centuries?
One friend has reached a ridiculous conclusion about the former colonizers' reluctance to let go. He visited the Netherlands once and expressed his surprise that despite the 350- year occupation, Indonesia, like Britain, uses right-hand drive vehicles, while the Netherlands uses the opposite.
"Perhaps the Dutch never wanted us to be able to drive ourselves to our destination of independence," he said.
So what notable legacy did we get from colonialism? So far, perhaps learning the Dutch language only attracts those studying law; while oppressive laws themselves are blamed on the colonial legacy.
Maybe just a few Indonesians will pay attention to whether Minister Ben Bot will attend the 60th anniversary events next week or whether he should officially express an apology for his country's past deeds.
Local people here are just too busy preparing themselves for the celebrations in their neighborhoods.
According to what some Betawi people (indigenous Jakartans) say, Minta maaf urusan Lebaran -- "Save your apologies for Idul Fitri", the celebration after the fasting month, not during independence day.
The writer can be contacted at purba@thejakartapost.com