Dutch King Expresses Regret for Excessive Violence

Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima visited Indonesia to strengthen the tie between the two countries. The monarch also expressed his apology for his country’s excessive violence toward Indonesians in the past.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

President Joko Widodo (second right) and First Lady Iriana Widodo (left, rear) witness King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands plant a sandalwood tree on Tuesday (10/3/2020) at Bogor Palace, West Java. This is the Dutch king’s first visit to Indonesia since he succeeded the throne following Queen Beatrix’s abdication in 2013, and was intended to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the economy and human resources.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – In a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday (10/3/2020), Dutch King Willem-Alexander reemphasized the Dutch government’s explicit acknowledgment of the Republic of Indonesia’s independence proclamation on 17 Aug. 1945. Furthermore, he also expressed his regret and apology for his country’s excessive violence in the early years of Indonesian independence.

The Dutch launched two military aggressions after Indonesia’s independence proclamation, namely in 1947 and 1948. The military operations led to countless casualties, including civilians.

It was only in 2005 that the Dutch politically and morally recognized the Indonesian independence proclamation of 17 Aug. 1945 through its then-Foreign Minister Bernard Bot. Previously, the Dutch only acknowledged Indonesian sovereignty on 27 Dec. 1949.

King Willem-Alexander conveyed his apology in a joint press statement with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at Bogor Palace on Tuesday. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima arrived in Indonesia on Monday afternoon (9/3) and will be in the country until 13 March. They are scheduled to visit several cities around Indonesia.

This is the first Dutch royal visit to Indonesia in 25 years. Previously, Dutch Queen Beatrix visited Indonesia in 1995.

Kompas

Dutch King Willem-Alexander

“In line with earlier statements by my government, I would like to express my regret and apologies for the excessive violence on the part of the Dutch in those years. And I do so in the full realization that the pain and sorrow of the families affected continue to be felt today,” Willem-Alexander said.

Before meeting with President Jokowi, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima visited and placed wreaths at Kalibata Heroes’ Cemetery and Menteng Pulo Cemetery.

In line with earlier statements by my government, I would like to express my regret and apologies for the excessive violence on the part of the Dutch in those years.

In the joint press statement, President Jokowi said history could not be erased. However, we can always learn from the past. “It serves as a lesson for our commitment to grow a relationship that is equal and with mutual respect and mutually beneficial,” the President said.

King Willem-Alexander said he was glad to see former foes Indonesia and the Netherlands currently being partners with a close relationship and which appreciate and trust each other. The two countries enjoy good partnerships in knowledge, economy, water management and environment and climate protection.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Bogor Palace guards stand at attention as President Joko Widodo (left) and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands visit the presidential palace in Bogor, West Java. This is King Willem\'s first visit to Indonesia since he inherited the throne from Queen Beatrix in 2013.

Business partnership

Four huge contracts were booked between Indonesia and the Netherlands during the Dutch royal visit. The contracts’ signing and handover was held in an intergovernmental business forum that was also attended by Dutch and Indonesian business players in Jakarta on Tuesday evening.

One of the four agreements was a memorandum of understanding between Friesland Campina (Frisian Flag) and the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) to construct a factory in Indonesia. Another was a cooperation agreement between Dutch company HyET and Indonesian state-owned energy giant PT Pertamina to build a flexible solar panel factory in Indonesia.

The cooperation agreements’ handover was witnessed by the Dutch King and Queen, Indonesian Trade Minister Agus Suparmanto and Dutch Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Minister Sigrid Kaag. Aside from the four huge contracts, there were also 27 cooperation contracts in food and agriculture, health, maritime affairs, aviation and other sectors.

Agus said the total value of the business contracts signed between Indonesia and the Netherlands was 1.5 billion euros, or Rp 24.37 trillion (US$1.7 billion). It is hoped that the business agreements can be realized in the next nine months and help improve Indonesia’s economy, amid the threat of recession due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Apology

Historia Indonesia Community chair and historian Asep Kambali said the Dutch King’s apology in the context of the Dutch Military Aggression could be seen as respect paid to Indonesia. However, he said that, in the centuries-long colonial occupation of Indonesia, the Netherlands had yet to acknowledge its errors.

Historian and Histori Bersama Foundation founder Marjolein van Pagee said she was surprised about King Willem-Alexander’s apology for the 1945-1949 violence. This is because the word “apology” has a stronger legal meaning than “regret”.

Furthermore, she also said that, legally, there remained no recognition from the Dutch government of Indonesia’s independence proclamation in 1945. She said this was reflected in how the Court in the Hague still used Dutch laws that saw Indonesia as a Dutch colony until 1949.

(INA/CAS/DEA/AGE/BKY/IDO/GAL)