Enemy In Covering: Portrait Of Complicated Relationships In Collaboration Between Japanese Colonizers And Indonesian Independence Fighters

Bung Karno, Bung Hatta, and Ki Hajar Dewantara welcomed the Japanese military in Jakarta. (Perpusnas)

JAKARTA - Japan had difficulty taking the hearts of the bumiputras. In addition, Japan's boundaries came as the invaders or heroes who expelled the Dutch as the estuary. They also tried to work together to collaborate with Indonesian freedom fighters.

Soekarno and Hatta became part of the joining freedom fighters. However, Japan does not really believe in fighters. Japan has always been suspicious. In fact, Japan once planned to kill all Indonesian freedom fighters.

The presence of Japan was considered a savior in 1942. They came to make the Dutch colonialists run back and forth from the archipelago. The natives were happy not to play. They also enjoyed flying the red and white flag and singing Indonesia Raya.

Japanese colonizers are in fact the same. They don't like the presence of another flag other than Japanese: Hinomaru. The Red and White flag is prohibited. Likewise with the anthem Indonesia Raya. Bumiputras, who were initially sympathetic, turned into hate.

Japan also realized that their terror against the bumiputras could not be carried out continuously. They need something that makes the natives obey. At least it can make the natives bathe in sweat for the sake of Japan as a form of support for the Land of the Rising Sun in the face of the Pacific War.

Japanese colonizers also worked together by embracing influential freedom fighters. The plan on paper provides space for freedom fighters to realize the ideals of independence. However, the plan became Japan's way to be able to control the natives.

They began to invite the bumiputras such as Soekarno, Hatta, Ki Hajar Dewantara, to Kiai Haji Mas Mansur to join. They are willing and gathered in one organization. People's Energy Center (Putara), his name.

Putera has the task of helping Japan as well as being a mouthpiece for fighters to support the independence agenda. Ulam's beloved pinnacle arrives. The collaboration brought fresh air to Japan. At first Putera became an extension of Japan's desire to get his wish.

Recently, the Bumiputras think otherwise. They lean towards using Putera as a funnel to spread ideas of independence throughout the country. Even though the involvement of the Japanese collaborators' freedom fighters is considered worrying by other fighters.

A feeling of worry Hamka about his closeness to Japan got bigger in early 1944, when he spent three months in Java. Senior nationalist leaders under Soekarno (including Mohammad Hatta, Kiai Haji Mas Mansyur, and Ki Hajar Dewantara) in Java saw a more complicated collaboration structure called Putera or the People's Center.

Despite this collaboration, disappointment with Japan continues to spread. wherever he goes, said Hamka, he sees hunger and shortcomings on a scale that exceeds Sumatra's condition. In Jakarta Hamka mondok is in the house of his discarded father, Haji Rasul. Hajj Rasul expressed his hatred for Japan and collaborators, even though Haji Rasul himself agreed to give advice to Japan occasionally, "said James R. Rush in the book Adicerita Hamka (2020).

Japan may provide space for freedom fighters to bring the life of the bumiputras. However, they do not believe 100 percent in freedom fighters who are members of the Dutch organization.

Instead of just certain fighters, freedom fighters like Bung Karno and Hatta were closely monitored. The relationship is like an enemy in a blanket. Every day their behavior is monitored. Their lives are not free. The lives of the freedom fighters are always suspected.

They are non-collaborator freedom fighters (underground moves) being hunted. Some were in prison and killed. Independence fighters began to be careful. The agenda of spreading ideas of independence did not want to be done rashly.

Bung Karno also felt that he was suspected by the Dutch. He considered himself to have to be vigilant all the time. You can't be careless. It could be that his life is in danger. This vigilance is increasing when news of Japan wanting to kill all freedom fighters appears.

Many of the freedom fighters began to close ranks to remain vigilant. However, it was not the freedom fighters who deterred Japan. They actually argued in the Pacific War. This excessive attitude was reduced and openly promised Indonesia to be independent. Japan wants the natives to continue to provide support.

Wherever I go, a number of officers accompany me or secretly research me carefully. Ampeties often come to my place on an uncertain 'a deadline. I have to take care of myself all the time. Japanese people are not stupid. They never fully regret it.

Our people in the underground movement sent a message, there was a Japanese plan to kill all the leaders of the Indonesian nation. According to the rumors, Japan only needs my power to take the hearts of the people for their interests, and once the task is completed, my heart will also come. I am always in danger," said Bung Karno as written by Cindy Adams in the book Bung Karno: Connecting the Tongue of the Indonesian People (2008).