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Beware of Dutch king: Colonial wolf in sheep’s clothing
Despite signs of weakening, the Western empire has never really collapsed. After World War II, old-style colonialism only transformed into new style neo-colonialism.
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This file photo taken on September 19, 2017 shows Dutch King Willem-Alexander delivering his 'Speech from the Throne' next to Queen Maxima in the Ridderzaal (Knights' Hall), during 'Prinsjesdag' (Prince's Day) in The Hague. (AFP/Koen van Weel / ANP )
C
olonialism is often considered a legacy that still bothers us but will eventually disappear. Yet, apart from racist, colonial thoughts that are still reproduced in our minds, this is also about current power relations and ongoing profit-seeking. Take Europe’s lawsuit against Indonesia’s nickel export ban. The former colonizers sued Indonesia because they think they are the only ones entitled to exploit Indonesia’s resources, as they did for centuries. Despite signs of weakening, the Western empire has never really collapsed. After World War II, old-style colonialism only transformed into new style neo-colonialism.
As a Dutch historian, I am very much against the upcoming state visit of our King Willem-Alexander to Indonesia. The Dutch royal family earned millions, if not billions, from oppressing Indonesians for centuries without ever taking responsibility. This includes the abusive Cultivation System that, among others, financed the Netherlands’ railway system. In the early 1800s one of Willem-Alexander’s forefathers, King Willem I, decided he was the legitimate owner of regions where the Dutch East India Company (VOC) was active before, some decades after the world’s first multinational became bankrupt in 1799. At that time the Dutch claimed Java and other parts of the archipelago. Soon, the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) helped to expand the occupation. Many companies were also linked to the royal family including the predecessor of the oil firm Shell, the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company.
A Dutch TV report last December illustrated this colonial legacy, highlighting the enormous inheritance of Willem-Alexander’s grandmother Queen Juliana.The report didn’t explore how she became so wealthy; only focusing on the profitable deal the royal family managed to negotiate with tax authorities after her passing in 2004. They were allowed to pay just part of the inheritance tax with art pieces valued at 8.8 million euro. Imagine the total sum of her inheritance.
Now, as if all of that is already forgiven and forgotten, the King and Queen Máxima will meet President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on March 10 to 13 with over 130 business representatives. The number suggests huge interests are at stake. Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia Lambert Grijns urged us to focus on the future and the economic side of our bilateral relations: “The historical relationship between the Netherlands and Indonesia is very, very good." He also added that Dutch people were so welcome in Indonesia: “There is so much good will!”
Although I can understand the Dutch interest in the country that they previously occupied, I wonder: what makes the Netherlands an interesting business partner for Indonesia? Especially as my fellow citizens continue to humiliate Indonesia? Until today the Netherlands refuses to respect the 1945 Constitution, as my government still legally clings to 1949 as the year that Indonesia became independent. Arguably, the Dutch Embassy in Jakarta is illegal as it violates Indonesia’s constitutional principles.
This issue has never been resolved. Not in 2005 when Dutch foreign minister Ben Bot attended the 60-year anniversary of Indonesia’s independence. Out of fear of legal claims he couldn’t apologize for all the human rights violations by the Netherlands, only mentioning “regret’” (not apologies) for the violent ending of colonial rule in 1945-1949. He said something about de facto acceptance of the 1945 independence – yet the Dutch law that refers to 1949 as Indonesia’s independence year has never been revised.
In 1995 Willem-Alexanders’ mother, then Queen Beatrix, also paid a state visit to Indonesia. She deliberately arrived four days after Aug. 17 because Dutch veterans had problems with the independence celebration. Respecting war veterans seemed more important than respecting an entire nation.
