Action Strikes Dutch Company Labor Throughout Indonesia In History Today, December 2, 1957

The Escompto Bank office in Jakarta was occupied and taken over in the context of nationalizing Dutch companies by the Indonesian government in 1957-1958. (United Press)

JAKARTA History today, 70 years ago, December 2, 1957, all Dutch-owned companies throughout Indonesia perpetuated a total strike. The breakthrough was triggered by the attitude of the Dutch who were reluctant to release West Irian to Indonesia.

The strike then became the way for Indonesia to nationalize Dutch companies. Previously, the Dutch' recognition of Indonesia's sovereignty did not make national figures complacent. All national figures feel that the Indonesian phrase is incomplete without the presence of Indonesia.

The Round Table Conference (KMB) is often considered the final step of Indonesian diplomacy. All because the KMB became the estuary of the Netherlands to recognize Indonesia's sovereignty. The agreement bore fruit.

The Dam Palace in the Netherlands and the Rijswijk Palace (now: State Palace) witnessed the handover of Indonesia's sovereignty on December 27, 1949. The struggles and sacrifices of the Indonesian people paid off.

However, the decision at the KMB did not necessarily bring a tone of happiness. All national figures felt that the Dutch actually tried to play the fire again. The narrative was because the Dutch themselves were reluctant to surrender West Irian as part of Indonesia.

The world-class diplomatic struggle to get West Irian is perpetuated. The Indonesian people fully support the agenda. The recitation was to complete the phrase from Sabang to Merauke. Because, there is no longer any reason for the Dutch to keep West Irian from joining Indonesia.

The strength of national unity was also proven when Indonesia's integrity was threatened with tearing by the design of the country of the Republic of Indonesia (RIS) which the Netherlands wanted. Based on the results of the KMB in The Hague from August 23 to November 2, 1949, the Dutch government gave up completely unconditionally.

Upaya itu harus dilakukan sebelum 30 Desember 1949, kedaulatan Belanda atas semua wilayah bekas Hindia, kecuali Irian Barat, kepada Republik Indonesia Serikat (RIS). RIS terdiri dari Republik Indonesia dan 15 negara bagian bentukan Belanda, dengan Soekarno menjabat sebagai Presiden RIS, sementara Mohammad Hatta sebagai Wakil Presiden dan Perdana Menteri (1949-1950), terang Yudi Latif dalam buku Mata Air Keteradan: Pancasila dalam Perbuatan(2014).

Diplomacy never brings results. The attitude of the Dutch who refused to give West Irian to Indonesia angered the whole of Indonesia. Dutch-flagged companies in Indonesia are targeted. From the transportation sector to banking. The workers began to move to promote nationalization.

The narrative was later also supported by the Indonesian government. Minister of Information Sudibjo instructed workers to carry out a total strike of Dutch cyclists. The result was brilliant. The strike was perpetuated on December 2, 1957. An action that later became the beginning of Indonesia nationalizing Dutch companies.

Immediately, on December 1, 1957, the Minister of Information, Sudibjo, instructed that a total strike be held on December 2, 1957. The strike was carried out by all workers who joined labor organizations in Dutch companies. The action continued with the takeover of Dutch company offices by labor unions affiliated with the Indonesian National Party (PNI) and the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).

Unofficially they received support from President Sukarno. Prime Minister Juanda, who actually opposes takeover, has no other choice but to place Dutch companies under government supervision by appointing military officers to be placed in several companies as leaders," explained Purnawan Basundoro in the book Miskin Bumi in the Political and Economic Dynamics of Indonesia 1950s (1960s).