Today's History July 28, 1808: Governor General Daendels Starts Bureaucratic Reform In The Dutch East Indies

An 1897 portrait showing the King of Surakarta, Sri Susuhunan Paku Buwono X sitting parallel to the Resident of the Dutch East Indies in Surakarta, Willem de Vogel. (Tropenmuseum)

JAKARTA – Today's history 214 years ago, July 28, 1808, the Governor General of the Dutch East Indies Herman Willem Daendels issued an edict. Daendels asked the Dutch representatives in the regions to no longer treat Javanese rulers (kings) with special privileges. He carried out bureaucratic reform to fight corruption.

Welcoming ceremonies and gifts, which were often large, began to be given properly. Even the sitting position between the Resident and the King of Java must be parallel. This edict made the Javanese rulers humiliated. They seemed to be forced to equal the Dutch.

Corruption is a problem that often accompanies Dutch colonialism in the Nusantara. Corruption was also able to undermine the dominance of the Dutch trading airline, VOC. The new era of the Dutch colonial government began.

Portrait of Governor-General Herman Willem Daendels. (Wikimedia Commons)

Those in power tried to send a Governor-General with integrity. Herman Willem Daendels, his name. He was sent to the Dutch East Indies (now: Indonesia) with two goals. First, save Java from British attack. Second, fix the administrative system in Java.

He also kicked off from the beginning of his power. The remaining power of the VOC was then transformed into a modern state called the Dutch East Indies. He introduced regional boundaries to the enforcement of corruption. Especially regarding corruption, he never played games.

Whoever tries to perpetuate corruption or the like, severe punishment awaits. In fact, up to the death penalty. Therefore, he is predicted to be the first governor-general to apply the death penalty to corruptors in the Nusantara.

“This successor is Herman Willem Daendels. A Bonaparte had ascended the throne in the Netherlands, and since then military considerations occupied first place in The Hague's colonial plans. Daendels has never lived in the East, but he seems the kind of man to clean up rotten and filthy Batavia, a newcomer standing outside the cliques and alleys, who knows what he wants and has an iron fist.”

“From a revolutionary orator, in the days of 'patriots,' Daendels grew into a Napoleonic dictatorial officer. He still speaks in mature expressions of revolutionary language, but for him, these have become meaningless slogans,” said Bernard HM Vlekke in the book Nusantara (1965).

Photo from 1929 showing Residents of Banyumas, Central Java, JJ vs Helsdingen with the Dutch East Indies Government employees. (Tropenmuseum)

Daendels' bureaucratic reform was effective. The number of abuses by colonial officials was reduced. The reforms also affected the Javanese rulers. The chief resident, who was usually the Dutch representative in the region, was asked to no longer respect the Javanese rulers excessively.

He also issued a special notice for it. Daendels urged them not to give more expensive gifts. Even if you want to give a gift, then naturally. Even then, a messenger must give it. Not giving directly.

Everything was done by Daendels so that the colonial government was equal, even bigger than the local rulers. Therefore, the ruler of Java was furious.

“In the regulation, it is stipulated that the Resident is prohibited from offering drinks or betel nut himself, but orders one of the messengers to offer it (to the king). If the Resident or Minister wants to visit the Palace, he must come by carriage and be accompanied by 12 horsemen. The Resident's seat must be parallel to the King's seat. If the Resident comes near the king, then the king must stand up to greet him."

“The new terms and regulations of Daendels made the Sultan's heart furious and angry. The Sultan considered that Daendels with his new regulations was very humiliating and demeaning to the dignity and authority of the king. He emphatically rejected the new rule. Thus, a dispute arose between the Sultan of Yogyakarta, who at that time was Sultan Hamengku Buwono II," written in the book Sejarah Kebangkitan Nasional Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (1977).