The Exodus of KNIL Soldiers from Maluku to the Netherlands in 1950s

Abstract

ABSTRACT : The transition of power on 27 December 1949, resulted in a conflict between pro-Indonesian and pro-Dutch forces, namely the KNIL ( Koninklijke Nederlands Indische Leger or the Royal Netherlands Indies Arm y ) . The group that was pro-Dutch, chose to exodus to the Netherlands . The research method used is historiography, the A uthor conducted interviews with ex-KNIL families in the second and third generations, interviews were conducted in the Netherlands. Researcher also conduct document and library research. Respondents of this study were the second and third generation of ex-KNIL families from Maluku who lived in the Netherlands since 1950s. The second and third generations of the Ex - KNIL family, see Indonesia as their ancestral land but they do not have the emotional ties as strong as the first generation. RMS (Republik Maluku Selatan or South Maluku Republic) for them is just their old man's dream in the past , unrealistic for now . The love of the Maluku people for their country is manifested by helping the government in carrying out various positive activities. In Indonesia , they help develop health, education , and agriculture. Hopefully the dark story of RMS in the past will be a memory and lesson for current and future generations . KEY WORDS: Exodus ; KNIL Soldier; Maluku , Indonesia; Netherlands . About the Author: Dr . Abdul Haris Fatgehipon is a Lecturer at the Department of Social Studies Education FIS UNJ (Faculty of Social Sciences, State University of Jakarta), Jalan Rawamangun, Jakarta, Indonesia. For academic interests, the Author is able to be contacted via e-mail address at: pertahanan@yahoo.com Suggested Citation: Fatgehipon, Abdul Haris. (2021). “The Exodus of KNIL Soldiers from Maluku to the Netherlands in 1950s” in TAWARIKH: Journal of Historical Studies , Volume 12(2), April, pp.195-206. Bandung, Indonesia: Minda Masagi Suci and ASPENSI, with ISSN 2085-0980 (print) and ISSN 2685-2284 (online). Article Timeline: Accepted (January 15, 2021); Revised (March 2, 2021); and Published (April 30, 2021).