VIVAnews – Raymond Westerling was a former commander of the rebellious Army of the Just King (APRA). He had been on Indonesia’s most wanted fugitives list ever since he sent an ultimatum to the United States of Indonesia (RIS) government in early January 1950. In the ultimatum, the former commander of the Dutch Special Troops demanded the RIS government to acknowledge his army (APRA) as the official armed forces of the Pasundan State.
Instead of submitting to his demand, the RIS government issued an arrest warrant on Westerling. As a result, Westerling and his troops stormed the city of Bandung and killed no less than 94 Indonesian soldiers, most of whom were unarmed.
Fortunately, the Dutch military commanders in Bandung refused to support his cause and ordered Westerling to evacuate the city. Since then, the notorious rebel went into hiding in several places.
On 8 February 1950, Westerling’s wife met Major General van Langen, then Chief of Staff of the Dutch East Indies Army, and urged him to help her husband. Van Langen agreed to help him but since other Dutch officials refused to do so, he secretly ordered his own men to bring Westerling to Singapore in disguise.
On 22 February, a Dutch aircraft brought Westerling to Singapore. In the country, Westerling contacted his old colleague, Chie Piet Kay, and set up plans to return to Indonesia.
However, the news about Westerling's escape was revealed and later published in several international media. As a result, the British police in Singapore swarmed the residence of Chie Piet Kay, and arrested Westerling on 26 February 1950. Westerling was detained at the Changi Prison in Singapore.
Later, Westerling was brought to Brussel, Belgium and sneaked into the Netherlands. He lived peacefully in the country until he died in 1987.
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