JurnalPost.com – The history of Indonesia's struggle for independence holds not only tales of bravery against colonial rule but also records of humanitarian tragedies that left deep scars. One of the darkest events occurred in South Sulawesi between December 1946 and February 1947, when Dutch special forces launched a military operation that became known as the Westerling Massacre.
The operation was led by Captain Raymond Pierre Paul Westerling, commander of the Depot Speciale Troepen (DST), a special unit within the Dutch colonial military. The colonial government claimed the deployment was necessary to restore security and suppress armed groups deemed to be disrupting regional stability.
However, the execution of the operation was marked by mass arrests, violence against residents, and summary executions without trial.
The victims were not limited to those involved in armed resistance. Civilians, local leaders, and individuals suspected of supporting the Republic of Indonesia were also targeted by the military action.
This event demonstrates how colonial power utilized armed force to maintain its political influence, even after Indonesia proclaimed its independence on August 17, 1945.
South Sulawesi in the Turmoil of the Independence Revolution
After Japan surrendered to the Allies in August 1945, the political situation across Indonesia underwent significant changes. The proclamation of independence spurred the emergence of struggle organizations and community groups seeking to uphold the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.
In South Sulawesi, support for independence grew across all layers of society. The nobility, religious leaders, youth, and ordinary citizens played roles according to their respective capacities.
Some were directly involved in the armed struggle, while others provided support through communication networks, logistics, and strengthening community solidarity.
On the other hand, the Dutch attempted to rebuild their colonial power through the Netherlands Indies Civil Administration (NICA) and their military forces.
This situation created conflict between groups defending independence and colonial forces seeking to regain control over Indonesian territory.
In his book A History of Modern Indonesia (2005), Adrian Vickers discusses how the independence revolution unfolded amidst political shifts, armed conflict, and Dutch efforts to maintain their power.
The Westerling operation serves as a clear example of the use of colonial military force in confronting resistance from communities supporting the Republic.
The Westerling Operation and Violence Against Civilians
Dutch special forces began operations in South Sulawesi in December 1946. They employed methods of sweeping areas, screening residents, arresting, and executing those deemed involved in the resistance movement.
In several operations, residents were gathered for screening. Those suspected of having ties to Republican fighters could be punished without the opportunity to defend themselves in court.
Katharine McGregor, through her study From National Sacrifice to Compensation Claims: Changing Indonesian Representations of the Westerling Massacres in South Sulawesi, 1946–47, outlines how the Westerling tragedy is remembered in Indonesian national history, including the shift in how society interprets the victims and advocates for recognition of colonial violence.
The violence that occurred not only took human lives but also devastated the social fabric of the community.
The loss of family members, community figures, and local leaders caused many communities to experience profound changes in their daily lives.
The fear instilled by the military operation also created trauma that persisted long after colonial rule ended.
Andi Abdullah Bau Massepe and Resistance Against the Dutch
One of the key figures who fell during the series of colonial violence in South Sulawesi was Andi Abdullah Bau Massepe.
He was a nobleman from Suppa known as one of the leaders of the struggle to defend Indonesia's independence. Bau Massepe is also recorded as a key figure in the formation and leadership of Republican struggle forces in South Sulawesi.
His status as a community leader did not lead him to compromise with Dutch efforts to restore colonial rule.
Instead, he remained steadfast in his support for the Republic of Indonesia and was involved in the struggle against Dutch forces.
Bau Massepe was later arrested by the Dutch and died during a series of military operations in early February 1947. Various historical sources note discrepancies regarding the circumstances and the exact date of his death.
His struggle gained state recognition when he was awarded the title of National Hero in 2005.
The story of Bau Massepe shows that the struggle to defend independence was not merely a matter of battle, but also of steadfastness in maintaining political choices and national sovereignty.
Haji Andi Muda, La Kulle, and Puang Daeng Mallang in Local Memory
Beyond the struggle figures who have gained national recognition, stories of colonial violence in South Sulawesi also contain the names of local community members who are not widely known in popular historical writing.
In local records compiled by the author, the names Haji Andi Muda, La Kulle, and Puang Daeng Mallang appear as figures associated with the community's experience of colonial violence.
Haji Andi Muda is described as a religious leader who held influence in the community. The presence of religious figures in the independence struggle reflects the close relationship between faith, social solidarity, and opposition to colonialism.
Meanwhile, La Kulle is depicted as a representative of the common people who supported the Republican struggle. The role of ordinary citizens often receives less attention than military leaders, even though their involvement was a vital part of defending independence.
Puang Daeng Mallang is associated with customary leadership and efforts to maintain community dignity. In Bugis-Makassar and Mandar culture, respect for self-esteem, social responsibility, and justice holds an important place in communal life.
Nevertheless, the identities, roles, and details of the events involving these three names still require further investigation through historical documents, archives, and verifiable testimonies.
Deepening local history is essential so that the stories of communities that have been under-documented can be appropriately placed within the history of the independence struggle.
The Galung Lombok Tragedy and the Mandar Massacre
One event closely related to Dutch military operations in the southern part of Sulawesi is the Galung Lombok massacre on February 1, 1947.
Galung Lombok is located in the Mandar region, which at that time was part of South Sulawesi and is now part of Polewali Mandar Regency, West Sulawesi Province.
The tragedy demonstrates how colonial military operations expanded to target communities suspected of having ties to the independence movement.
Herlina's research (2018) titled Peristiwa Galung Lombok 1946–1947 explains that the massacre in the region was carried out by Dutch troops under the command of J.B. Vermeulen, who was involved in military operations linked to Westerling's special forces.
A number of fighters and civilians became victims. The execution of prisoners and acts of violence against the community left bitter memories in the history of the Mandar people.
The Galung Lombok event shows that colonial violence did not only occur in government centers or battlefields but also reached settlements and rural life.
For the victims' families, the tragedy is not just a part of national history records. The event became an experience of loss passed down through family stories and community memory.
Debates on the Death Toll of the Westerling Massacre
One issue that continues to be discussed in studies of the Westerling Massacre is the number of casualties.
In Indonesian historical memory, this event is known by the term 40,000 Victims, a figure that holds an important position in the tradition of commemorating the struggle of the people of South Sulawesi.
However, the actual number of victims remains a subject of debate among historians.
Willem IJzereef, in his study De Zuid-Celebes-Affaire en de Standrechtelijke Executies (1984), estimated that around 1,500 people died as a result of the actions of the DST special forces. This figure does not include all victims of violence involving other colonial units.
Meanwhile, Dutch government documents and other historical studies indicate that the number of victims from operations by various colonial military units in South Sulawesi reached more than 3,000 people.
These discrepancies highlight the importance of understanding the calculation methods, geographical scope, and military units that are the objects of research.
The figure of 40,000 remains highly symbolic in the history of the South Sulawesi people's struggle, even though it cannot be confirmed as the exact death toll based on a single historical calculation agreed upon by all researchers.
What cannot be ignored is the fact that these colonial military operations caused the deaths of thousands of people and prolonged suffering for the community.
Historical Scars Passed Down Through Generations
The impact of the Westerling Massacre did not end when the military operations concluded in February 1947.
Victims' families had to face the loss of those who had been the pillars of their lives. Some communities lost leaders, while others experienced the breakdown of social relationships due to fear and repressive actions.
The tragedy subsequently evolved into a collective memory passed down from one generation to the next.
Historical research on colonial violence has also evolved. In 2022, joint research by the NIOD, KITLV, and NIMH institutions in the Netherlands concluded that the use of extreme violence by the Dutch military during the Indonesian War of Independence was widespread and systematic.
These findings further emphasize the importance of open historical disclosure, including recognition of the suffering of the civilian population.
In South Sulawesi, every December 11 is commemorated as the Day of the 40,000 Victims. This commemoration serves as a form of respect for the victims and a reminder of the price the community had to pay to defend independence.
The 40,000 Victims Monument in Makassar also stands as an important symbol for preserving this historical memory.
Preserving Memory, Honoring Victims
The Westerling Massacre is a reminder that the Indonesian independence struggle has a humanitarian dimension that cannot be separated from political and military history.
Behind the major events recorded in history books, there were families who lost loved ones, communities that experienced violence, and future generations who inherited the memory of past suffering.
Therefore, studying the Westerling tragedy should not stop at debates over the number of victims or the names of military operation leaders.
Furthermore, this event needs to be understood as a lesson on the dangers of power abuse, the importance of protecting civilians, and the necessity of placing humanity above political or military interests.
Ongoing historical research is also needed to uncover the experiences of ordinary people, including religious leaders, customary leaders, farmers, and victims' families who have not yet received much space in historical writing.
Thus, respect for the victims is not only realized through commemorative ceremonies but also through efforts to maintain historical truth.
Because the history of independence is not just a story about victory against colonialism. History also holds the voices of those who lost their lives while defending their dignity, freedom, and the right to determine their nation's future.
Budi Sulistiono is an observer of history and Islamic culture.
Tebet, South Jakarta, December 8, 2025.
Comments 0
Write a Comment Share your response