TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Dutch government has formally apologized for the carnage of thousands of Indonesian during its colonization era that ended in 1949. Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia Tjeerd de Zwaan delivered the formal apology in Jakarta on Thursday, September 12, 2013.
“On behalf of the Dutch government, I apologize for these excesses. Today I also apologize to the widows from Bulukumba, Pinrang, Polewali Mandar and Parepare.”
The ambassador said his remarks were primarily addressed to the widows, whom he said were the ones personally experiencing the breakdown of ties between both nations following the Indonesian declaration of independence in 1945.
The ambassador explained that in recent years, women from South Sulawesi and Rawagede, whose husbands were executed by Dutch troops, have turned to the Dutch courts seeking redress. “The Dutch government has made agreements with the widows regarding compensation,” he said.
He added the Dutch government had decided to introduce a measure enabling any future claims to be settled in a uniform manner, without the involvement of the courts. “The details of this measure are published in the Government Gazette.”
The ambassador hoped the apology would help close a difficult chapter for those whose lives were affected by the violent excesses in 1945-1949.
“The Dutch government wants to join with Indonesia in looking at the future. Our two countries and people have a great deal to offer each other.”
The Netherlands’ Special Forces carried out a series of brutal killings in 1945-1949. According to the Indonesian government, the number of those killed in the slaughters spearheaded by Capt. Westerling in South Sulawesi reached around 40,000 people in contrast to the Dutch’s several thousands.
