Radical, violent fight for Moluccan independence is over

Radio Netherlands Wordwide, 23 April 2010 - 2:09pm

Photo: ANP

The new president of the Republic of the South Moluccas in exile (RMS) has rejected violence and radicalisation as a way to achieve independence for the Indonesian islands.

Speaking on the Indonesian service of Radio Netherlands Worldwide, the RMS president John Wattilete said that dialogue and lobbying will achieve more. He emphasised that the Dutch-based RMS is prepared to talk to the Indonesian government, as long as this happens in freedom.

Independence

Towards the end of the Dutch colonial domination of Indonesia the South Moluccans were promised independence, but this never materialised. 12,500 Moluccans, many of whom had fought in the Dutch army against Indonesia's liberation army, went into exile in the Netherlands in the 1950s, hoping in vain for an early return. The Moluccan segment of the Dutch population is currently estimated at 42,000 people, living in tightly-knit communities.

Asked whether his RMS government in exile would be prepared to accept broad autonomy within Indonesia, similar to that of Aceh and Papua, Mr Wattilete replied that that is not an option yet.

John Wattilete was sworn in on 17 April in the Dutch town of Bemmel, succeeding Frans Tutuhatunewa.

Never recognised

This weekend the RMS is remembering that independence was declared 60 years ago on the Moluccan island of Ambon by pro-Dutch Moluccans. This came only years after Indonesia had gained independence from the Netherlands at the end of World War II. The RMS was fought by Indonesia and not recognised by any country. This sparked the Moluccan immigration to the Netherlands.

The Moluccas (light green)

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