Having a significant role in the independence of Papua from Japanese colonialism, the name Lukas Rumkorem is fresh to the ears of the Indonesian people since not many essays discuss it. This article aims to introduce the figure of Lukas Rumkorem and his contributions to Indonesia during his lifetime.
However, before discussing Lukas Rumkorem’s services to Indonesia, here is a brief history of Japan’s entry into Indonesia:
The Entry of Japan into Papua Land
According to history, Japan entered Indonesia in 1942, intending to control all regions in Southeast Asia. During the invasion of Indonesia, Japan made Papua one of its bases for defense. Since Japan occupied Papua, many local people have suffered.
During the Japanese colonial period, many Papuans became enslaved and victims of Japanese persecution. Feeling uncomfortable with the Japanese presence, the Papuan people carried out a resistance known as the Koreri Movement.
Who is Lukas Rumkorem?
L. Rumkorem, more commonly known as Lukas Rumkorem, is one of the figures who enormously contributed to Indonesia’s independence. Lukas Rumkorem is a figure who succeeded in leading the resistance movement to expel the Japanese occupation from Papua.
Educational and Career Background
Not many literary works explain the educational background and career of Lukas Rumkorem. However, in the book entitled Pertemuan Antara Saudara Kandung, there is information saying that Lukas Rumkorem works as a teacher.
At first, Lukas Rumkorem attended Zendingschool Biak from 1916 to 1923. Then he continued his education and received a diploma as a teacher at Normaalleergangschool in 1937. In January 1945, he was appointed to become an HBA and began his political career.
Koreri Movement
Before the Indonesian proclamation came out in 1945, there was a lot of resistance against the invaders from all parts of the Indonesian land. One of the many resistances is the Koreri Movement in Papua.
The Koreri movement was the resistance that the Papuan people gave to the Japanese, who were back then colonizing their land. The opposition was centered in Biak and was commanded by Lukas Rumkorem. In this fight, L. Rumkorem used guerrilla tactics against the Japanese.
Lukas Rumkorem chose this war strategy because of the condition of the Papuan people at that time. Unlike the Japanese army, which had sophisticated and complete weapons, the Papuan people did not have adequate weapons to fight.
But even so, the war strategy that Lukas Rumkorem chose successfully conquered Japan. With the guidance of L. Rumkorem, Papua succeeded in becoming the first territory in Indonesia to be free from colonialism.
Other Contributions of Lukas Rumkorem
In addition to being the leader of the Koreri movement, Lukas Rumkorem also has other contributions to the progress of Indonesia. In the book entitled Pertemuan Antara Saudara Kandung, Lukas Rumkorem also had time to fight against the Dutch in Papua.
After Indonesia’s independence in 1945, Lukas Rumkorem invited the Papuan people against the Dutch colonialism politics that had existed in Papua for approximately 300 years. His provocation infuriated the Dutch. On August 16, 1947, Lukas Rumkorem was arrested for holding a clandestine meeting to organize a rebellion.
For a year, Lukas Rumkorem was in prison in Biak. A year later, in 1948, Lukas Rumkorem moved to the Hollandia prison, which is famous as a place to test the mentality of its prisoners.
The Dutch desire to torture and eliminate Lukas Rumkorem disappeared after Lukas was released on the pretext of being sent back to his hometown in Biak on April 30, 1948.On October 1, 1949, Lukas Rumkorem founded Partai Indonesia Merdeka, or PIM. The party’s program is to unite the Indonesian people from Sabang to Merauke with the spirit of Pancasila.
