In the Ruins of Empire by Ronald Spector

Author:Ronald Spector
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781588367211
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2008-07-08T04:00:00+00:00

We the People of Indonesia hereby declare the independence of Indonesia.

Matters concerning the transfer of power etc. will be carried out in a conscientious manner and as speedily as possible.

The proclamation was published in the Malay-language newspapers the following day, and Indonesians at the Japanese-controlled radio station risked their lives by broadcasting the news to the country.20 Word of the declaration spread quickly in Java. “From cars, carts, windows, flag poles, roof tops and bicycles sprang up a forest of red and white flags.”21

The Japanese refrained from any overt assistance to the Indonesian Republic, but nationalists had little difficulty in getting their hands on Japanese weapons.22 The PETA and the heiho were officially disbanded, but many of their former members managed to retain some of their arms. One Japanese source estimated that the nationalists obtained, through theft, purchase, or donation, more than fifty thousand rifles, three thousand light and heavy machine guns, and a hundred million rounds of ammunition.23 “The younger and more bellicose officials blossomed forth in pseudo military uniforms, Japanese swords, revolvers and even decorations,” reported a rather unsympathetic British observer. “A travesty of the fascist salute with greeting, ‘Merdeka’—freedom came into being. The mob in the kampongs arrayed itself in its thousands with Japanese swords and rifles.”24

Despite ringing pronouncements, Sukarno remained cautious. He did not want to provoke the Japanese and was apprehensive about the expected arrival of the Allies. His younger supporters saw it differently. They were convinced that the new Republic would have to fight to survive. The most radical favored an immediate seizure of power from the Japanese. Others favored preparing for a more protracted conflict. They began to form what was in effect a Republican army, the Badan Kea-manan Rakyat (People’s Security Organization), usually known by its initials, BKR. Many of the leaders were former PETA officers.

While the founders of BKR wanted to organize those with military experience or advanced education, the radicals wanted to organize everybody else as well. They formed the leadership of the dozens of politicized youth groups called collectively pemuda in the kampongs, towns, and cities. They were allied with rural gang leaders and urban underworld bosses who saw their future as linked with the fortunes of the Republic. They operated a clandestine radio station calling on people to prepare themselves for the freedom struggle and encouraged the seizure of buildings and utilities in Batavia.25

Things came to a head on September 19 when radical leaders organized a mass rally to be held in the Lapangan Ikada, the former exercise ground and playing field of the Jakarta Athletics Association. An estimated two hundred thousand people attended the rally, which was quickly ringed by Japanese tanks and armored cars. Fearing a massacre, Sukarno hurried to the Lapangan Ikada and persuaded the Japanese commander to allow him to address the crowd. The commander, not eager for a confrontation that might lead to reprisals against Japanese civilians, agreed. Sukarno gave a brief address, then ordered the people to disperse. To the astonishment of many, they did so.

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