VOC colonized Indonesia?

VOC colonized Indonesia?

From Koran Tempo

The 400th anniversary of the East Indies Trading Company (VOC) is now being commemorated in the Netherlands. They will be celebrating it for the whole year. To highlight this commemoration, a replica of a VOC trading vessel will depart from Australia and make a stopover at Sunda Kelapa port.

If we were the VOC or at least the Netherlands' ally, perhaps, we would also be proud to celebrate it. The VOC enjoyed success for centuries before it finally went bankrupt due to the company's mismanagement. Today, which trading company has been able to survive for such a long time? Yet, as Indonesia was reportedly colonized by the VOC for 350 years, the Indonesian envoy to the Netherlands has been allowed to join the commemoration. This is only natural, as we were the victims of colonization.

Yet, strangely, our parents seem to be proud of flaunting the fact that Indonesians had been ruled by the Dutch for 350 years. What's to be proud of when you were colonized by another nation? I don't think we should brag about it because, 350 years ago, our country hadn't yet been founded.

Take a look at our country's history. The name of Indonesia did not come to be used until the 18th/19th century. So, if the VOC was ruling the Dutch Indies in the 1600s, we don't need to acknowledge it.

Our state only declared independence on Aug. 17, 1945. So, don't accuse our ancestors of being stupid enough to let other nations take control.

At that time, there were only a few small kingdoms spread across the islands, now known as the Indonesian archipelago. The kings themselves never declared themselves Indonesians as they vied with one another for territory, power and for their own interests. National unity never crossed their minds.

YAN

Jakarta