NICA Dies Wolter Mongisidi Independence Fighter In Today's History, March 26, 1949

JAKARTA History today, 75 years ago, March 26, 1949, the Dutch colonialists with the robe of the Dutch East Indies Civil Administration (NICA) handed over the death sentence to Robert Wolter Mongisidi. The independence fighter is considered to often trouble the Dutch.

The only option the Dutch could take is to kill him. Previously, Mongisidi's anger caught fire when the Dutch returned to control Indonesia. He also no longer wants to live like an colonized nation. Resistance was also carried out. Even though death is the main risk.

The Dutch intention to regain control of Indonesia has received opposition from here and there. They do not want to return to life as an colonized nation. Life is insulted and becomes a third-class nation. Robert Wolter Mongisidi was unable to contain anger considering the end of living as an colonized nation.

The man who was born in Malalayang, Manado, February 14, 1925, who lives as a teacher every day, feels compelled to fight the Dutch. The NICA war fleet that came to be piled up was not a problem. This condition did not necessarily make Mongisidi's guts who moved to Makassar shrink.

His anger is even more unbearable. He also tried to devote himself to the struggle to defend Indonesia's independence in Makassar. Mongisidi joined the laskar Laskar Lipan Bajeng. It was that moment that he became acquainted with many freedom fighters including Maulwi Saelan.

The presence of the laskar is nothing but to realize the ideals of Indonesia to maintain independence. Mongisidi and Laskar Lipan Bajeng then merged into the Laskar Rebels of the Indonesian People of Sulawesi (LAPRIS) on July 17, 1946.

Since then the name Mongisidi has been famous in guerrilla warfare. He troubled the Dutch many times. Even with limited weapons. Instead of just being good at managing the strategy of resistance, Mongisidi is also good at seeking information. This power made Mongisidi often excel when gunfights occur.

Laskar Lipan Bajeng is a group of young fighters based in Polongbangkeng, Takalar. Most of its members, including Emmy, Wolter, as well as Maulwi Saelan, Emmy's younger brother, are students from Makassar's National Junior High School. They formed troops because they had the same ideals: against the Dutch colonialists who pushed to South Sulawesi since September 1945.

Even though Wolter is not leaving for war, Emmy seems tough to let him go. Emmy knows the trip to the city will be difficult and dangerous because more and more NICA soldiers occupy most areas around Makassar," wrote Tempo Magazine's report entitled Kandas Cinta Berbeda Agama (2017).

Mongisidi and his friends' resistance breakthroughs were hot for the Dutch. They made Mongisidi an important target. The effort brought results. Mongisidi can be arrested and imprisoned on October 27, 1947.

The arrest made Mongisidi unable to do much. He fills the days by writing poetry in prison. Problems arise. Mongisidi is considered responsible for the many attacks on the Netherlands in Makassar.

The narrative led him to be sentenced by Dutch colonialists to the death penalty on March 26, 1949. A sentence that was felt to be able to break the chain of resistance of the Indonesian nation. In fact, this assumption is a big mistake. It may be that Mongisidi has executed the firing squad on September 5, 1949, but his departure has become a larger fuel of resistance.

"Furthermore, Monginsidi filled his days by writing poetry. Mongisidi's water is arguably religious. He wrote it on any paper, including paper used for bread wraps sent by his friends: The court's dead verdict makes his dream of continuing to learn to die. Writing is an important Mongisidi activity that awaits the death penalty.

'Monginsidi served the death penalty before a firing squad of Dutch soldiers, as demanded by the Attorney General of NIT Soumokil on March 26, 1949. Walter and his friends were accused of being irresponsible gangs who destabilized like criminals or extremists," explained Petrik Matanasi in the book Pemontak Tak (Always) Salah (2009).