Take a look at Albert Karubuy’s life record. West Papuan activist who has significantly contributed to the freedom of Papua from Dutch colonialism. Here is a brief biography of Albert Karubuy:
Albert Bernardus Karubuy, is an activist from eastern Indonesia, Papua. He was born on January 5, 1915, Albert Karubuy is a member of the House of Representatives from West Irian. He became a member of the House of Representatives after the Indonesian legislative general election in 1955.
Not only known as a member of the People’s Representative Council, but Albert Karubuy was also the subject of discussion because of his position as a political advisor for Indonesia at that time. Albert Karubuy was the political adviser for Indonesia in the 12th general session of the United Nations back in 1957.
Educational Background
Born in Miei-Wandamen, Manokwari, Albert Karubuy started his education at a public school owned by a Dutch missionary. Quoting from a book entitled Papuan Development Ethnography (Etnografi Pembangunan Papua) by Mulyadi, the Dutch established several schools in Jayapura during the government period from 1944 to 1949.
At that time, the Dutch built a police school and a civil service school (bestuurschool) in Jayapura. This Dutch school aims to instill Papuan nationalism and make the Papuan people loyal to the Dutch government.
The school educates around 400 students who will later become political elites in Papua. Several important names, such as Frans Kaisepo, Nicolaas Jouwee, and Albert Karubuy, studied at this school.
After graduating, Albert Karubuy continued his education outside Papua. Albert Karubuy continued his education at a hospital called Centrale Burgerlijke Ziekenhuis in Surabaya. In historical records, Albert Karubuy graduated from Centrale Burgerlijke Ziekenhuis in 1929.
Albert Karubuy’s Activism
During his education in Surabaya, Albert Karubuy was an activist. In Surabaya, Albert Karubuy is active as a member of the organization Indonesia Muda and Persatuan Bangsa Indonesia. As a member of the organization, Albert Karubuy participated in many protests, which often resulted in his arrest.
In addition, during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia, Albert Karubuy was under arrest several times by the Japanese authorities for not cooperating. For this incident, Albert Karubuy was only released after Indonesia’s independence in 1945.
However, after his release, Albert Karubuy was active again as an activist and participated in other rebellious activities. For his participation in the rebellion in South Maluku against the Dutch troops, Albert Karubuy was under arrest and imprisoned again.
At that time, Albert Karubuy was a Dutch prisoner for 18 months in 1946. After his release, he joined the “Indonesian Tiger” troops which Robert Wolter Mongisidi led.
The troops were aimed against the forces of Raymond Westerling (the commander of the Dutch troops who was famous for leading the Westerling Massacre in 1946-1947).
Albert Karubuy’s Career
Besides being active as an activist, Albert Karubuy is also involved in Indonesian politics. In addition to being a member from West Irian in the Representatives’ House after the Indonesian legislative elections in 1955, Albert Karubuy has served as an Indonesian delegate on other essential matters on several occasions.
In 1962, Albert Karubuy went to New York as part of the Indonesian delegation led by Subandrio. With Silas Papare, Albert Karubuy became an Indonesian Irian Independence Party representative.
This meeting resulted in the birth of the New York Agreement, which regulates the transfer of power over West Papua from the Netherlands to Indonesia.
Papua had been a dispute between the Netherlands and Indonesia since the Proclamation of 1945. Since the beginning of the proclamation, the Netherlands did not admit Indonesia’s independence and continued to carry out intensive military activities. Therefore, several agreements were made to mediate the conflict between Indonesia and Netherlands, such as the New York Agreement, which Albert Karubuy represented.
