Sejarah Timor Leste: Inilah Alasan Timor Leste keluar dari NKRI

Summary

Timor Leste, formerly known as East Timor, is a small island nation in Southeast Asia, located on the eastern part of Timor Island. Once a Portuguese colony, it gained independence in 2002 after a lengthy struggle, which included colonial exploitation, Japanese occupation during World War II, and a violent invasion by Indonesia in 1975. Despite initial claims of integration, the people of Timor Leste fought for independence, with international attention drawn to their struggle. Following a 1999 referendum and significant international intervention, Timor Leste finally became a sovereign state, with Xanana Gusmao as its first president. It is the youngest member of ASEAN, joining in 2022.

Takeaways

• 😀 Timor Leste, also known as Timor Lorosa'e, is an island nation located on the eastern side of Timor Island, bordering Indonesia.
• 😀 The country consists of the main island and smaller islands like Atauro and Jaco, covering an area of 15,007 km².
• 😀 Timor Leste was a Portuguese colony for over 400 years, differentiating it culturally and religiously from the rest of the Nusantara region.
• 😀 During World War II, Japan briefly controlled Timor Leste, but it returned to Portuguese control after the war.
• 😀 In 1975, following Portugal’s withdrawal, Timor Leste declared independence, which led to a civil war within the region.
• 😀 Indonesia invaded Timor Leste in December 1975, just after the declaration of independence, citing security concerns and the spread of communism.
• 😀 The international community did not recognize Indonesia’s annexation of Timor Leste, which led to ongoing resistance from Timorese freedom fighters.
• 😀 The 1991 Santa Cruz massacre drew global attention to the Timorese struggle for independence, intensifying international pressure on Indonesia.
• 😀 Following the resignation of Indonesian President Suharto in 1998, a referendum was held in 1999, where 78.5% of Timorese voters chose full independence.
• 😀 After the referendum, violence erupted in Timor Leste, but international peacekeeping forces, including INTERFET, restored order, leading to Timor Leste’s full independence in 2002.
• 😀 Timor Leste became the youngest country in Southeast Asia and joined ASEAN in November 2022, marking its continued growth and integration in the region.

Q & A

What is the geographical location of Timor Leste?

Timor Leste is an island nation located on the eastern part of the island of Timor, which is part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. It shares a land border with Indonesia and includes the exclave of Oecusse Ambeno on the western part of the island.

When did Timor Leste gain its sovereignty and what is significant about this date?

Timor Leste gained its sovereignty on May 20, 2002. This is significant because it marked the country's independence as the first new nation of the 21st century and the first new nation in Asia since the mid-20th century.

Why did Timor Leste seek independence from Indonesia?

Timor Leste sought independence from Indonesia due to a long history of colonialism, conflicts, and human rights violations. Its separation was influenced by its distinct cultural identity, historical colonial boundaries, and the negative impacts of Indonesia’s occupation, including widespread violence and the suppression of independence movements.

What was the role of Portugal in the history of Timor Leste?

Portugal colonized the eastern part of the island of Timor, known as Timor Portugis, for over 400 years. Portugal maintained minimal investment in infrastructure and services but heavily exploited the region’s natural resources. Portugal’s colonial withdrawal in 1975 set the stage for internal conflict and the subsequent Indonesian invasion.

What was the significance of the 1975 declaration of independence by Fretilin?

On November 28, 1975, the pro-independence group Fretilin declared Timor Leste's independence from Portugal. This declaration was a key moment that led to a civil war between various political factions and ultimately to the Indonesian military invasion later that year.

How did the international community react to Indonesia’s annexation of Timor Leste in 1976?

The international community, including the United Nations, did not recognize Indonesia’s annexation of Timor Leste in 1976. Despite this, Indonesia maintained control over the region for more than two decades, during which there were widespread human rights violations and resistance from Timorese groups.

What was the Santa Cruz massacre and why was it significant?

The Santa Cruz massacre occurred on November 12, 1991, when Indonesian forces opened fire on a peaceful pro-independence demonstration in Dili, Timor Leste. The massacre resulted in significant international outrage and brought global attention to the struggle for Timor Leste’s independence.

How did the 1999 referendum contribute to Timor Leste’s independence?

In August 1999, a United Nations-supervised referendum was held in which 78.5% of Timorese voters chose full independence from Indonesia. This vote led to a violent backlash from pro-Indonesian militias, prompting international intervention and ultimately securing Timor Leste's independence.

What role did Australia play in the international response to Timor Leste’s situation in 1999?

Australia led the multinational peacekeeping force, INTERFET, which was deployed to Timor Leste after the 1999 referendum to restore order and security following the violence by pro-Indonesian militias. Australia played a key role in facilitating Timor Leste’s transition to independence.

When did Timor Leste join ASEAN, and why is this significant?

Timor Leste became a member of ASEAN in November 2022. This was significant because it marked the nation’s integration into a regional political and economic bloc, solidifying its position within Southeast Asia after its independence and post-conflict recovery.