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strong>Oct. 22, p. 7

In a surprising turn of events, a court in The Hague in September ordered the Dutch government to pay compensation to victims of Rawagede — an area in Karawang, West Java, where men were killed by Dutch brutality during Indonesia’s battle for independence. The court’s verdict was remarkable, as it showed that justice could still be sought even after decades had passed.

The revival of this case brings hope to shedding light on atrocities suffered by Indos (Dutch-Indonesians) during Bersiap, a critical period during Indonesia’s revolution, which has been erased from history books and thus diminished the role of Indos in Indonesian history.

Your comments:

There were many, many circumstances that led to the atrocities of the Bersiap. Two of my Dutch relatives, teenage girls, were hacked to pieces in Gubeng, East Java, during the night the Surabaya Revolution broke out.

I am not pointing any fingers because the Dutch may have to point the biggest finger at themselves. But these girls ... Read my book, Silenced Voices.

I would be happy to come to Indonesia and talk for overall reconciliation.

Inez Hollander

I would say that Sutomo is a hero indeed. The only way to achieve independence in some parts of Indonesia is through extreme measures. Without heroes like them, Indonesia would not exist.

It was sad for those Indo people who were caught in the struggle for independence, but this was not Sutomo’s fault. Please, you can blame it on the Dutch colonizers.

Singodimedjo

I’m happy that Indonesia is becoming more aware of its history. As an Indo, I find it hard to explain to Indonesians and Dutch people about what Indos are and why many Indos left Indonesia.

It is sad that not much is known about Indos in Indonesia. Sukarno and Ernest Douwes forced Indos who stayed to give up there culture. Furthermore, in an effort to make the Indonesia’s struggle for freedom more glorious, the killing of Indos was not mentioned in Indonesian history books. The same goes for Dutch history books that don’t mention its war in Asia.

Indos had a big influence on Indonesian culture. Keroncong originated in Kampung Tugu, Jakarta. Most Dutch language Keroncong songs were likely written by Indos. Buaya Keroncong were mostly Indos, who helped spread Keroncong across Java.

Indos had a big influence on batik and came up with their own style, called Batik Belanda, and helped make Batik famous all over the world.

The Komedie Stamboel is the “grandmother” of modern Indonesian theater (and some say even beyond Indonesia). Many famous actors and writers are Indos, with August Mahieu being the most successful. He wrote the famous keroncong songs Stamboel I, II and III.

J.R.
The Netherlands

On a scale of justice, the colonial powers, including the Netherlands, carry a far bigger bag of guilt.

I believe many more Indonesians were killed and tortured during the colonial era.

Rumpuuy de Kock
Amsterdam

Any country should come to terms with its past, especially the nastier parts of it. Therefore this disclosure of atrocities, which has been kept under the dust of time, is very welcome.

Colson
The Netherlands