Aceh Rebelled Against the Dutch

Sumber :

VIVAnews - 67 years ago today, on 23 February 1942, the people of Aceh began their war of independence against the Dutch with the Japanese support.

The people of Aceh had been at war against the Dutch ever since the latter declared war on them in 1873. Since then, numerous fighting had occurred between them which resulted in high casualties on both sides.

By 1904, the Dutch had successfully brought most of Aceh under their control. However, they had never been able to subdue the whole province. Thus, Aceh was one of the few provinces in the country where some of its populations were able to assert some sort of freedom in early 20th century.

In late 1941, when the Japanese began its invasion of Southeast Asia, many Acehnese began to see them as potential allies and liberator. In their eyes, Japan was portrayed as having military strength comparable to the Dutch and, as fellow Asians, a sincere intention to liberate them from colonial rule.

Accordingly, in mid December 1941, a delegation of Aceh's Association of Muslim Scholars (PUSA) went to Penang, Malaysia, to negotiate with the Japanese. The negotiation ended in Singapore on 16 January 1942 with an agreement to cooperate in the fight against the Dutch East Indies.

According to the agreement, the Acehnese agreed to take up their arms against the Dutch, while the Japanese agreed to provide support and give the people of Aceh independence as soon as the war is over.     

After a month-long preparation, on 23 February 1942, the people of Aceh began their rebellion against the Dutch. The latter, who was preoccupied with the Japanese invasion of Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Ambon, and Lesser Sunda Islands, was unable to cope with the uprising.

Within days, the rebellion spread to all parts of Aceh and North Sumatra, and the Dutch was forced to take up defensive positions.

On 1 March 1942, the Japanese aircrafts bombed Medan. Eight days later, after the Japanese occupied most of the Dutch East Indies, the Dutch surrendered unconditionally to the invaders.

Fighting, however, continued in several places in Sumatra and Java. On 11 March 1942, the Acehnese attacked the retreating Dutch forces in the province. A day later, the Japanese arrived at Sabang and with the help of the Acehnese completed their occupation of most areas of Aceh and North Sumatra on 15 March 1942.

Two weeks later, on 28 March 1942, the last Dutch force in Sumatra surrendered to the Japanese in Kutacane, Aceh.