Sliding Into Chaos
pp. 17-18 · Read in the full issue
More Revolts in Indonesia
fTTHE politico-economic collapse in X Indonesia, which the PIM has forecast for some time, is now very near. There is outright revolt in Northern Sumatra, Southern Borneo, South Moluccas, Central Celebes, and in Halmahera and Morotai, close to the western end of New Guinea.
The economic position is grim.
Governmental expenditure is crip pling the country; administrative confusion is reducing production; prices of tin and rubber have fallen; and the trade unions, which have established a seven-hours’ day, are out of control.
If it is possible, in the growing confusion, to fix party lines, it may be found that the chief parties are: Nationalists —This is the organisa tion which established in power, as a Republican Government, the group of political adventurers which had been groomed for the purpose by the departing Japanese. Anti- Dutch; anti-West; has a Left Wing that is practically Communist.
Socialists— Led by Sutan Sjahrir.
Moderate; anti-Red; anxious to gam Western confidence, and loans.
Masjumi— Led by Dr. Hatta.
Good-class Moslem. Anti-Red and pro-west.
Communists —Strong, and growing in power. Party has about 16 mem bers in Parliament.
Dar-ul-Islam —Led by Kartosu Wirjo. Anti-Red. Is a fanatical Moslem body, loosely organised, partly based on bandit bands, and it wants to establish a purely Moslem State. No representatives in Parliament.
DR. WILOPO’S government col lapsed some months ago, when it lost Masjumi and Socialist support. After much manoeuvring, another “Dr.” Ali Sastro Amidjojo, formed a shaky Nationalist admin istration in August, with only the support of the Communists.
Most of the revolts appear to be inspired by Dar-ul-Islam—those in Sumatra and Celebes certainly are.
The outbreaks in Halmahera and Morotai, about September 10, may have been caused by dissident bands from the Southern Moluccas, which always have resisted the Djakarta gang.
By early October, the rebellion in North Sumatra seemed to have established a definite Dar-ul-Islam administration in the area called Achin. This is not likely to be per manent, but it is significant as showing the disintegration of the so-called “Republic of Indonesia.”
The ultimate struggle probably will be between a group led by the better-class Moslems, who will favour the West, and a close liaison with Dutch interests, and the already powerful Communists who,
of course, ■ will want an alliance with Red China and the Muscovite countries.
Meanwhile, there is increasing co-operation between Australia and the Dutch, in relation to the future of Western New Guinea. One of the quaint incidents of the past month was a blast from the “Foreign Minister” at Djakarta, on September 18: “Any relationship between a third country and the Netherlands concerning West New Guinea will be considered a violation of friendly relations 99 Although the “Republic of Indo nesia” is sliding to destruction, it bestirs itself every week or two to solemnly warn The Netherlands that it will not tolerate the Dutch claim to Western New Guinea, and any continuance of “the era of colonialism.”