At long last! The Netherlands officially acknowledged that Indonesian independence was on August 17, 1945

June 15, 2023 10:24 AM GMT+7 1 min

The Dutch government officially recognizes, 'fully and unconditionally,' the independence of Indonesia on August 17, 1945. The ongoing dispute regarding the recognition of the Proclamation of the Republic of Indonesia by the Netherlands continues to be a contentious issue. Historically, the Netherlands acknowledged the independence of the Republic of Indonesia on December 27, 1949, following the transfer of sovereignty based on the outcomes of the Round Table Conference.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte stated, 'The Netherlands acknowledges, fully and unconditionally, that Indonesia achieved independence on August 17, 1945.' Rutte made this statement during a parliamentary discussion on the study of decolonization from 1945 to 1950. Following this acknowledgement, Mark Rutte assured that he would promptly reach out to President Joko Widodo for a 'joint recognition' ceremony.

Rutte acknowledged that the Dutch government has consistently recognized Indonesia's independence on every August 17, 1945, with gestures such as the king sending congratulatory telegrams to Indonesia annually. The Indonesian people perceive August 17, 1945, as a momentous occasion, marking the establishment of the Republic of Indonesia, just two days after the end of Japanese occupation.

However, until at least 2005, the Dutch recognition of the independence on August 17, 1945, was limited to 'political and moral' acknowledgment, but never a full recognition.

The firm Dutch resistance to recognizing the Proclamation of the Republic of Indonesia has given rise to several assumptions, including concerns that the Netherlands would be liable for substantial compensation due to the events of 'aggression' between 1945 and 1949.

By acknowledging the independence of the Republic of Indonesia in 1945, the Netherlands automatically admits to having attacked a sovereign nation. However, by asserting the claim of Indonesian independence in 1949, the Netherlands could argue that its actions were of a police nature, aimed at safeguarding the Dutch East Indies from civil unrest.

Tags: indonesia war of independence

Akhyari Hananto

I began my career in the banking industry in 1997, and stayed approx 6 years in it. This industry boost his knowledge about the economic condition in Indonesia, both macro and micro, and how to More understand it. My banking career continued in Yogyakarta when I joined in a program funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB),as the coordinator for a program aimed to help improve the quality of learning and teaching process in private universities in Yogyakarta. When the earthquake stroke Yogyakarta, I chose to join an international NGO working in the area of ?disaster response and management, which allows me to help rebuild the city, as well as other disaster-stricken area in Indonesia. I went on to become the coordinator for emergency response in the Asia Pacific region. Then I was assigned for 1 year in Cambodia, as a country coordinator mostly to deliver developmental programs (water and sanitation, education, livelihood). In 2009, he continued his career as a protocol and HR officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya, and two years later I joined the Political and Economic Section until now, where i have to deal with extensive range of people and government officials, as well as private and government institution troughout eastern Indonesia. I am the founder and Editor-in-Chief in Good News From Indonesia (GNFI), a growing and influential social media movement, and was selected as one of The Most Influential Netizen 2011 by The Marketeers magazine. I also wrote a book on "Fundamentals of Disaster Management in 2007"?, "Good News From Indonesia : Beragam Prestasi Anak Bangsa di dunia"? which was luanched in August 2013, and "Indonesia Bersyukur"? which is launched in Sept 2013. In 2014, 3 books were released in which i was one of the writer; "Indonesia Pelangi Dunia"?, "Indonesia The Untold Stories"? and "Growing! Meretas Jalan Kejayaan" I give lectures to students in lectures nationwide, sharing on full range of issues, from economy, to diplomacy Less

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