MATERI SEJARAH XII : PERJUANGAN PEMBEBASAN IRIAN BARAT

Summary

The video discusses Indonesia's struggle to reclaim West Irian (Irian Barat) from Dutch control after the 1949 Round Table Conference. It covers diplomatic efforts, including international negotiations and support from the UN and Asian-African countries, as well as Indonesia's economic and military confrontations with the Netherlands. The decisive moment came with President Soekarno's Trikora campaign in 1961, leading to the formation of a military command. The conflict culminated in the 1962 New York Agreement, transferring West Irian to UN control, and later, a 1969 referendum officially integrated the region into Indonesia.

Takeaways

• 📜 Indonesia fought to reclaim West Irian after the 1949 Round Table Conference (KMB) agreement, which had promised to transfer the territory to Indonesia within a year.
• 🤝 Diplomatic efforts were made, including addressing the issue at the United Nations General Assembly, though Indonesia felt the UN was not firm in resolving the matter.
• 🌍 Indonesia received support from countries at the Asian-African Conference for its stance on West Irian.
• 🗓️ On August 17, 1945, President Soekarno declared West Irian as part of Indonesia and established it as one of the provinces, with its capital in Tidore.
• 💼 In February 1958, the Indonesian government formed the National Front for the Liberation of West Irian.
• 💸 Economic confrontations included voiding economic activities with the Dutch and nationalizing Dutch-owned companies in Indonesia.
• ⚔️ Indonesia prepared for military conflict, purchasing weapons from the Soviet Union, while the Dutch sent their warship Karel Doorman.
• 📢 On December 19, 1961, President Soekarno launched the 'Trikora' or 'People’s Triple Command,' calling for the failure of the Dutch plan to create a puppet state in Papua.
• 🔄 The New York Agreement on August 15, 1962, transferred control of West Irian to the United Nations Temporary Authority (UNTEA), leading to an eventual referendum.
• 🎌 On May 1, 1963, West Irian was officially handed over to Indonesia, with the UN Security Forces overseeing the transition and referendum, which ultimately showed West Irian's desire to stay with Indonesia.

Q & A

What was the result of the Round Table Conference regarding West Irian?

The Round Table Conference in 1949 determined that West Irian should be handed over to Indonesia within a year of the conference. However, this did not happen by the deadline, leading to further actions by the Indonesian government.

What diplomatic efforts did Indonesia make to resolve the West Irian issue?

Indonesia brought the West Irian issue to the United Nations General Assembly and received support from countries in the Asian-African Conference. Diplomatic efforts included discussions with the U.S. and suggestions for the Netherlands to hand over West Irian to Indonesia through the UN.

Why was Indonesia disappointed with the United Nations' approach to the West Irian issue?

Indonesia was disappointed because the UN did not take a decisive stance, and the proposed two-year period for the Netherlands to hand over West Irian to Indonesia was seen as too lenient.

How did Indonesia receive support for its claim to West Irian?

Indonesia gained strong support from the countries present at the Asian-African Conference for its efforts to claim West Irian.

What were Indonesia's economic actions against the Netherlands regarding West Irian?

Indonesia initiated an economic confrontation, which involved halting economic activities related to the Netherlands and nationalizing various Dutch companies in Indonesia.

What was the significance of President Sukarno's Trikora declaration?

Trikora, or the People's Triple Command, was declared by President Sukarno in 1961. It aimed to thwart the creation of a Dutch puppet state in Papua, raise the Indonesian flag in West Irian, and prepare for a general mobilization.

What were the three phases of Indonesia's military operations to liberate West Irian?

The military operations were carried out in three phases: infiltration (sending troops covertly to West Irian), exploitation (open attacks on Dutch positions), and consolidation (establishing Indonesian sovereignty over West Irian).

What was the outcome of the New York Agreement regarding West Irian?

The New York Agreement, signed on August 15, 1962, stipulated that West Irian would be handed over to the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA), and a referendum, known as the Act of Free Choice, would be held before the end of 1969.

When was West Irian officially handed over to Indonesia?

West Irian was officially handed over to Indonesia on May 1, 1963, following the United Nations' administration under UNTEA.

What was the outcome of the Act of Free Choice in West Irian?

The Act of Free Choice, held between July 14 and August 2, 1969, resulted in the majority of the West Irian population voting to remain part of Indonesia. The United Nations recognized this result on September 19, 1969.