Damri's Role In Indonesian Independence

JAKARTA - Indonesia's toughest post-independence test is building a new country. The age of Indonesia, which is the age of corn, needs to be strengthened in all aspects. Including transportation. The traffic of goods, people, and weapons is the most needed. Therefore, Indonesia established the Djawatan Angkoetan Motor Repoeblik Indonesia (Damri).

Damri's task was not only to provide land transportation services, but also to take part in the struggle for independence against the Dutch Military Aggression I and II. August 1945 became the most tense phase in the nation's history. Japan's defeat of the tribal army was the end.

Rumors of Japan's defeat then spread throughout the country. The nation's leaders rejoiced because of it. They considered the defeat of the Land of the Rising Sun as the right moment to be free from the shackles of colonialism. There are also those who think that there is no more appropriate time to proclaim independence other than August.

After that, the old and the young struggled in their own way. Both groups are in a race against time. Debates between the old and the young often occur. At its peak, differences of opinion forced the young group to kidnap old group figures: Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta.

They were taken to Rengasdenglok for negotiations. As a result, the old group agreed to proclaim independence on August 17, 1945. The event was filled with joy. On the other hand, independence in fact brought many new problems.

“The ideals of the struggle of the heroes who have sacrificed their lives have not been fully achieved. Indonesia's independence has indeed been won, defended, and defended with sacrifices that are truly priceless."

“However, the fate of the Indonesian nation has not changed much. Even though they are independent and sovereign, the fate of the Indonesian nation has not improved much. Many Indonesian people are still stupid, poor, and backward. The economic position of the Indonesian nation is still very low and weak," said Sagimun MD in the book Jakarta From the Edge of the Water to the Proclamation City (1988).

Indonesia's elected leaders Bung Karno and Hatta were aware of this shortcoming. The narrative of independence was then spread throughout the country. All the Indonesian people then burned with the euphoria of the revolution. They move to fill each other's roles and vacancies. Everything is done so that Indonesia grows into a great nation.

The challenge of independence was not able to make the Indonesian people give up quickly. A few months after the proclamation, the Indonesian people began to take over important aspects of the former Japanese government – from transportation to communications. The Indonesian people also did not forget to seize Japanese weapons and other war fleets.

“Revolutionary euphoria immediately began to sweep across this country, and especially young Indonesians responded to the excitement and challenges of independence. Japanese commanders in the regions often left the urban areas and withdrew their troops to the outskirts of the city to avoid confrontation.”

“Many wisely allow Indonesian youths to obtain weapons. Between 3 and 11 September, youths in Jakarta took control of the railway stations, electric tram system, and radio transmitting stations without resistance from the Japanese. By the end of September, important installations in Yogyakarta, Surakarta, Malang, and Bandung were also in the hands of Indonesian youth,” wrote historian Merle Calvin Ricklefs in the book History of Modern Indonesia 1200 – 2004 (2007).

The efforts of the Indonesian people to take over all important aspects of the Japanese government are entering a serious stage. All the people, especially the workers, began to try to take over the transportation instruments -from air to land.

In the land sector, workers who were members of the Barisan Oeroesan Mobil (BOM) and other transportation companies began to seize important land transportation services belonging to Japan, such as Jawa Unyu Zigyosha and Zidosha Sokyoku.

Jawa Unyu Zigyosha itself is a land transportation agency that specializes in transporting goods by trucks, carts, or cikars. Meanwhile, Zidosha Sokyoku is a land transportation agency whose focus is on passenger transportation by motorized vehicle or bus.

Efforts to seize land transportation then bear sweet fruit. Djawatan Angkoetan Motor Repoeblik Indonesia (Damri) was finally born from the womb of the workers' movement on November 25, 1946.

“BOM consists of car drivers who are members of the transportation division. The name comes from their unit, the Barisan Oeroesan Mobil (BOM) and they were also involved in the seizure of weapons. BOM members had previously confiscated 400 transport vehicles from Japan prior to the Allied arrival."

“BOM later changed to DAMRI, the Department of the Motor Force of the Republic of Indonesia. Their inventory (in October) shows that we have 2,000 trucks and hundreds of other vehicles (motorcycles, sedans, jeeps),” explained Irna Soewito as quoted by Frank Palmos in his book Surabaya 1945: Sakral Tanahku (2016).

Damri's presence is as bright as hope for Indonesia. Damri is recognized as one of Indonesia's instruments to advance and develop. Because, Damri itself is present with the main task of organizing land transportation by buses, trucks, and other motorized transportation.

This task also made Damri have a big role in the history of the Indonesian nation. Damri played an active role in the struggle for independence during the Dutch Military Aggression I and II. During the Dutch Military Aggression I in July 1946, for example. The land transport workers have used the entire Damri fleet to mobilize the freedom fighters.

“In the Second Dutch Military Aggression on December 19, 1948, Damri workers tried with the tools at their disposal to save all DAMRI tools. In the face of tortuous struggles, Damri has always adhered to the discipline of carrying out Government instructions.”

“For example, helping the transportation of Indian rice, transporting the TNI to move from the pockets, assisting in the transportation of the implementation of the KTN agreement negotiations (Three Nations Commission; America, Australia and Belgium) in Kaliurang. All of these are carried out seriously and with full responsibility,” concluded the Indonesian Ministry of Information in the book Province of West Java (1953).

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