On decolonization of East Timor
I would like to refer to the May 21 letter from Onghokham titled Decolonization of East Timor.
It is surprising that the noted historian categorically described the integration of East Timor (1976-1999) as "colonization and imperialism". The facts provide a different picture.
East Timor was the 27th province of Indonesia for 23 years, making the East Timorese Indonesian citizens during this time. They enjoyed the same rights as any other Indonesian living in the other 26 provinces. They could join any of the three political parties that existed at the time, and if eligible could run for any public office they wished to.
On the other hand, during Dutch colonial rule in the East Indies, according to the law, the population was divided into three socio-juridical categories: 1) Europeans, 2) Foreign Orientals (Asiatics) and 3) Indigenous (Natives), in that order.
To the late PK Ojong, the publisher of Kompas, the groupings were simply no different from castes, and the indigenous population was treated as third-class citizens.
Besides, for over 300 years, the colonial rulers rapaciously exploited the natural resources of the archipelago. Only much later did they, in return, reluctantly introduce limited measures for the benefit of the indigenous population, like education in schools and the creation of a representative body.
In the case of East Timor, whatever the contentions of critics of Indonesia and despite notorious pecuniary leakage, the 27th province annually received one of the largest development budgets of all the provinces. The integration, in a very significant way, improved the standard of living of the people in the province.
Admittedly, grave mistakes were committed in East Timor. Mostly, it seems, in the implementation of policy, which practically negated the results and progress of the development that had been achieved. In short, all the efforts to win the hearts and minds of the people failed.
What prompted Indonesia's involvement in East Timor, and is commonly known, was a combination of unforeseen developments suddenly taking place in the adjacent colonial territory. So this involvement was not planned in advance. The Cold War seemed to have played a crucial role in the involvement.
SOEGIO SOSROSOEMARTO
Jakarta