Tan Malaka Becomes An English Teacher In Singapore

Indonesian independence fighter, Tan Malaka. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - The struggle to bring an independent Indonesia is not easy. Anyone who dares to openly oppose the Dutch colonialists will surely be hunted down. Tan Malaka has felt it. Nestapa lives like an exile in a country where people are part of his life story.

His enemy was not only Dutch intelligence, but British intelligence. However, his escape to Singapore changed everything. Tan Malaka disguised himself as a Chinese and succeeded. He is also active as an English teacher in Singapore.

The universe does not always side with Tan Malaka's struggle. The man who was born in Pandam Gadang, June 2, 1897, was forced to leave the Dutch East Indies (now: Indonesia) because of his political activities that were considered dangerous.

Tan Malaka ventured to various countries, from China to the Philippines. The abuse led him to be chased by local intelligence. He is often suspected of being a troublemaker. This condition made him feel the cold walls of prisons in various countries.

This experience made Tan Malaka start to be careful in wandering. He began to change his appearance, language, and name. Slowly his skills in disguise grew. Even though the affairs ofLAYan that are done are not always smooth.

Take for example when Tan Malaka tries his luck to Yangoon, Burma (now: Myanmar). However, Dewi Fortuna is not by her side. Life in Rangoon is hard. Tan Malaka has difficulty finding work. Many of the existing jobs require someone to be able to speak Burmese.

Tan Malaka felt uncomfortable. The option to find new luck to Singapore was tried in 1937. Problems arise. Efforts to get a visa from the Burmese government are not easy. This condition made it difficult for him to board the ship.

An ancient strategy was also carried out. Tan Malaka was forced to give bribes (teak-teh). The situation then stopped. Tan Malaka also gave tenuous points at Penang or Singaporean ports.

Tan Malaka's disguise was almost revealed. Luckily Tan Malaka quickly changed his role to a Chinese. He changed his name to Tan Ming Siong. Even then he was given to officers again as a facilitator and succeeded.

But I got the impression, that there was a suspicion against me. The investigator admits he is Chinese. There may be very much Chinese blood in his body, but his body shape and face and skin tone are more like Keling than Chinese. After all, the Chinese language is no better than Chinese alone."

"Because he has never gone to his ancestral country, in terms of China, I don't need to raise the white flag in front of him. Once he admits himself as Chinese and uses Chinese, I quickly follow his movements in China," explained Tan Malaka in the book From Prison to Prison (2017).

His new identity as a Chinese brings prosperity. Tan Malaka's dream of getting a better life and heating up Indonesia's independence movement in Singapore is wide open. Tan Malaka is starting to make friends in Singapore.

He also began to meet his old friend, Buna. Tan Malaka was then introduced to other Chinese colleagues in Singapore. The introduction took him for a new job.

He was able to get a job as an English teacher at Nanyang Chinese Normal School. He taught Chinese children totok. Tan Malaka also changed his name again. At that time he was known as Tan Ho Seng.

There is no difficulty for Tan Malaka to pursue her role as a teacher. Work as a teacher has actually been done from afar. Tan Malaka has been actively teaching in the Dutch East Indies. This provision makes teaching affairs in special schools for Chinese children not a problem.

Profession as well as disguise as a teacher does have a small salary, 8 dollars per month. However, other benefits are piled up. Tan Malaka's movement did not smell Dutch and British intelligence. He remained in Singapore until 1942. Or right after Japan took over Singapore from the hands of the British colonialists.

"In Singapore, in Chinese society with Chinese names and passports (of course beyond the UK's knowledge that I am engrossed in kissing my footprint), I am fortunate to be able to climb from a low school to the highest high school principal in South Asia, namely Nanyang Chinese Normal School (NCNS)"

Here I disguise myself as Tan Ho Seng as an English teacher, until his school is closed when Japan enters. So, if it's a matter of cost only, I can print the necessary books. My income (money) as an English teacher, day and night, is more than enough for myself," explained Tan Malaka in the book Madeillog (2014).