Kusni Kasdut Robbed The National Museum In Today's History, May 31, 1961

Ignatius Waluyo alias Kusni Kasdut, the legendary Indonesian robber before being executed on February 16, 1980. (Weekend at Museum)

JAKARTA – In today's history, 62 years ago, May 31, 1961, a big criminal, Ignatius Waluyo alias Kusni Kasdut and his colleagues – Herman, Budi and Sumali – robbed the National Museum. The robbery was successful with Kusni bringing a collection of 11 gems. The whole of Jakarta was in an uproar.

Previously, Kusni was known as a freedom fighter. He actively defended the Motherland with guerrillas against the Dutch. However, his services were no longer used by the state after Indonesia's plenary independence. Kusni also began to try the black world.

The Revolutionary War was able to burn the spirit of all Indonesian people. They did not want to return to being colonized by the Dutch. Moreover, squeezed like a dairy cow. This reluctance made the Indonesian people dare to take up arms. Kusni, moreover.

He devoted his whole life to the struggle and joined the people's movement of the East Java Front. The tasks vary. Instead of only carrying weapons, Kusni was also asked to seek funds for the revolution.

The funds were needed for the struggle against the Dutch. Kusni also has her own magic. He perpetuates the option of robbing the landlord's house. His steps often succeed in bringing profit. Kusni collected revolutionary funds.

Kusni Kasdut (left) when detained by the Police. (NLI)

He also earned the nickname Si Kancil. Sometimes he is also dubbed as Robin Hood. The nickname was earned because it was said that Kusni did not hand over all the funds for the revolution alone, but also for helping the poor.

This image made Kusni famous among his colleagues. Everything changed when the Revolutionary War (1945-1949) ended. His services are no longer used by the state.

“One time the government held a rationalization of the armed forces. Bad luck confronts Kusni. He was one of the 500 former Student Soldiers who had to retire. The reason was not told, it just made it difficult for me," he explained.

"Kusni has been going back and forth to Jakarta several times to contact agencies whose job it is to channel ex-combatants. But the result is empty. There were only promises, even though at that time I was already married. Have one child. At his wits end, he and several of his friends carried out extortion in Surabaya. Several times he was lucky," wrote in a report by Tempo Magazine entitled For Sale: Furniture Made by Kusni Kasdut (1977).

Kusni was devastated when his services were no longer used. Because he doesn't have much skill. He then decided to enter the dark world. He perpetuates everything to get money. From blackmailing, robbing, to killing.

One of his most memorable actions is the robbery at the National Museum. The museum, which is also known as the Elephant Museum, is considered by Kusni to have valuable items. From diamonds to gems.

Kusni immediately perpetuated the robbery with his gang on May 31, 1961. He invited his colleagues Herman, Budi and Sumali to get involved. They then used a stolen car to the National Museum and managed to make off with 11 jewels in the museum's collection.

"Kusni's name has become increasingly popular and he is known for art thieves. On May 31, 1961, Kusni robbed the National Museum which is familiarly called the Elephant Museum. In carrying out the action, Kusni disguised himself by wearing a police uniform, then entered the museum.

“Then took visitors hostage and shot dead a museum officer. He then took off with 11 gems from the museum's collection. Kusni was then arrested while selling his loot in Semarang,” concludes Hukman Reni in the book Heboh Bali Nine: Eksekusi Sindikat Narkoba Australia (2015).