Den Haag 7-12-05 Nederland-Indonesie

Linggajati. Many people ask me why did the Indonesians make a museum of the house where, in 1946, a conference was held between representatives of the Dutch and Indonesian governments who were seeking the next step in the decolonisation process then underway. This conference led to the "Accord of Linggajati" which proposed a framework and set forth a context creating the basis for a new era of cooperation between the two nations. People ask why did President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visit the museum last August with so many of his Cabinet Ministers?

For Indonesia, the importance of turning the House into a museum-named Gedung Naskah-was the "de facto" recognition of the Indonesian Republic for the first time in their fight for Independence. The Indonesians consider the Linggarjati agreement as a political landmark in the process to Independence. A political landmark reached through negotiations and not through violence. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono shares that conviction. That is why he decided to visit the Gedung Naskah (House were the agreement was signed). Unfortunately, the agreement was not accepted, and the result was the second "poliionele actie" (police action) in 1947. With the museum, the Indonesians want to express the respect for the history of their country, and to remind the coming generations of their struggle for Freedom and Independence.

What is the importance for the Dutch? The museum is a symbol for the relationship between Indonesia and the Netherlands during 400 years of colonisation. It may also be a place to memorialise all those Euro-Asians who were born out of the assimilation of many nations during our colonial history. Arabs, Dutch, Africans, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Belgians …

During the whole process of decolonisation, Linggajati was a moment of enlightenment. A moment in which two very opposite sides, with totally different interests and perceptions about the future for Indonesia, had to make a decision. And we should not think too lightly about the human feelings, which certainly played a part. Just think of the young student Hatta in Rotterdam, who was jailed because he possessed a pamphlet about Independence. Sjahrir, who studied in Holland and was married to a Dutch girl who never received permission from the Dutch to join her husband in Indonesia. And we should not forget the long internment of Sukarno in Flores and bangkahulu, Hatta and Sjahrir in Boven Digoel, Banda Neira and at last in Sukabumi. For the Indonesians, those men are their "Mandelas." For the Dutch, they were "rebels."

And then there was the Dutch delegation that came to Indonesia just after World War II. They had missed much of what had been happening in the world during the war, such as the awakening of the Asian countries. The Netherlands were impoverished during the war. And they thought they would go bankrupt without Indonesia. "Indonesiie verloren, rampspoed geboren." The economic factor. Before World War II, thirty percent of the budget of the Netherlands came from the Dutch East Indies.

For the Indonesians, Linggarjati significantly enhanced their psychological self-image. It strengthened the moral stature, as well as the sense of freedom and independence of Indonesia. It was the first time in their history with the Dutch people that they received acknowledgement as a nation. Perhaps one factor in the negations was the human rapport between Schermerhorn, who was heading the Dutch delegation, and Soekarno. The two men hit it off very well.

It is a coincidence of history that the agreement of Linggarjati took place in our home, built by my father. Linggajati is a little village at the slope of the gunung Tjeremee, the highest volcano of Java Barat.

My brother, who visited Indonesia many times for his work at the United Nations Fund for Population, often visited Linggarjati out of sentimental reasons. He was not the only one. Since 1981, first many Dutch veterans, and later many tourists visited the Gedung Naskah. Now, nearly every week a busload of Dutch tourists visits Linggarjati.

One day my brother phoned me and asked if I would help him start a foundation called "Friends of Linggajati" that could raise funds to help the Indonesians manage the Gedung Naskah and preserve it in good condition. Well, that is how it began. Then some historians joined us, and an architect Cor Passchier who had experience in restoring colonial buildings. He is now chairman of the "Friends of Linggajati."

Like all new projects there have been many challenges in both Indonesia and Holland.

The willingness of the Indonesian government to support our project was there almost from the beginning. Indonesian politicians acknowledge the great importance of a modern museum in Linggajati. That is also the reason for the moral support of the Minister of Culture and Foreign Affairs. The existing museum is in a bad condition. In the opinion of the Indonesians, what is needed is a modern set-up, capable of giving adequate information to the Indonesian people, especially the youth.

My brother told me the reaction of the former Minister of State, Mr. Frans Seda, when my brother first shared his vision for Linggarjati with him: "Dr van Os, this is the right time. Our youth knows nothing anymore of the past.'' This joint project can contribute a little to the arduous process of creating better cooperation and understanding between our two nations. We think that they deserve our technical and financial support.

In the Netherlands, support for Linggajati was, and is, more complicated. Perhaps people first wanted to know who we were, and what our mission was. Were we an NGO, or what? However, through some people such as Professor Sanders, who is nearly 100 years old and is the only survivor who attended the Linggarjati conference, and former Ambassador Jonkman, we were able to discuss Linggarjati with officials in the Foreign Affairs office.

Now we are sixty years later. For at least a million Dutch, Indonesia is not just like any other country. It is their birth ground (tanah air). Their ancestors have worked there and are buried there. For over seventy years, my brother and I have managed to keep my father's grave in one piece. His grave is the only Dutch grave to be found in Cirebon. A million Dutchmen like my brother and me have their own story to tell. Thousands of small projects by Dutch citizens show that. Some people have been building small water tanks in Flores, as in the mountains no water is available. Others have small educational and health projects. They all want to express their bonds and love for their motherland.

In a strange way Linggajati is a vital part of the globalization process that is making the world one entity. Globalization is far more than just economic and financial integration. It is also understanding and valuing other people and cultures. It is the shrinking of the world through technology. Certainly we learned that on December 26, 2004 when masses of people suddenly became our neighbours as the Asian Tsunami swept over twelve nations. And now we have the unprecedented catastrophe of Pakistan where Relief Agencies say there simply aren't enough tents to take care of the refugees who need them.

With 220 million inhabitants, Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world. So I think Indonesia could be a bridge between East and West. During my recent visit to Indonesia, I was struck by two items I read in the newspapers. First, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who said Indonesia is like a rainbow. All cultures and religions in harmony with each other. The second was the initiative of the Nahdatul Ulama van Gus Dur and Muhamadyah van Amien Rais (leaders of a great majority of the moderate Muslims in Indonesia) to invite people of other faiths, such as Christians and Buddhists, to join them in a united federation against terrorism.

Globalization has many advantages. But it presents challenges as well. For it is bringing cultures and religions that, for centuries developed in relative isolation, into immediate and close contact with each other. Certainly we see this challenge in Europe. Muslims who have settled in Europe desperately need jobs, social services, and integration into the larger society.

But we must find a way to resolve the deeper spiritual and philosophical differences as well. I am thinking particularly of the clash between the postmodern European culture and the Muslim faith. The essence of cultural postmodernism is doubt, sensual experience, cynicism and irony. This is at the heart of European secularism. And it's not only Europe. Despite what we see in the media about religious fundamentalism in America, there is increasing evidence that postmodernism is at the core of the American cultural ethos. Just look at the movies Hollywood produces.

Yet the heart of Islam is faith in the Divine, in some power beyond oneself. And this underlying cultural/spiritual difference is at the very core of the upheaval taking place not only in France and Holland, but throughout Europe.

That is why countries like Indonesia, Morocco and Jordan stand at the frontline of what is happening in the Muslim world. As the King of Jordan recently said, the entire Muslim community faces a struggle between those who seek a moderate way forward, and those who would choose a more militant way. Throughout the Muslim world, a discussion is taking place. Yes they want to be part of the advances of the 21st century. But, yes, they want to keep their faith. They do not want to become a copy of the alienated Western personality.

This is why Linggajati can be so relevant. Linggajati can be a training centre for young Indonesians to (1) learn about their history, (2) meet people from other cultures and nations, and (3) learn what is required to live in a global age.

My generation had to cope with wars between Europeans, as well as with wars in other parts of the world. Now this generation has to find ways to live together, to match your lives and characters so you will be able to solve the problems of the 21st century. And it may be as you learn to solve the great problems of this age - poverty, water, health, and more - you will learn that you can only do this tremendous job working together with all people from all cultures and faiths who will head in the same direction together. Humankind till now has always matched the challenge of the hour. Sometimes only at the last moment. But I am an optimist, and when I look at my children and grandchildren I think they - and you - will do it.

Joty ter Kulve

7-12-2005