The Indonesian-Dutch round table conference held in The Hague, the Netherlands is in point of fact, the follow-up of preceding indecisive negotiations from Linggarjati, Roem-van Roijen to Renville agreement. The international assembly going on from August, 23rd to November 2nd had a primary purpose in regard to transferring the sovereignty from the Dutch to the United States of Indonesia. The Indonesian delegate was led by Drs. Moh. Hatta; Sultan Hamid II represented the BFO (Bijeenkomst Voor Federal Overleg); the UNCI was under Chritchley, and the Dutch delegate was embodied by Mr. Van Maarseveen.
The conference finally ended up with the treaties that include a couple of regards. The first point is that the Netherlands should recognize the United States of Indonesia as a sovereign state. The sovereignty transfer ought to be carried out no later than December 30th, 1949. The following thing is to pull back the Dutch troops and converted the Dutch East Indies to the Indonesian national army, and the same is true with the Dutch warships. Then, the diplomatic relation between the United States of Indonesia and the Dutch kingdom is led by the king of Netherlands. And the last concern on the subject of Western New Guinea is the renegotiation after the one-year-old transfer.
However, the contents of round table agreement are not relevant to Indonesia’s urge to create an independent country without the label of Dutch Commonwealth. Instead of reaching great deal gainful for Indonesia, the pact is filled with betrayal from the Dutch side creating tension inevitably affecting the diplomatic tie between two countries. These following facts are indeed not acceptable for Indonesia:
The Dutch doesn’t Recognize West Papua as the Part of Indonesia
Although the Netherlands is willing to displace its territory to the United States of Indonesia during the round table conference, in fact, it refuses to include Western New Guinea into the archipelago. The key reason why the Dutch persists in their decision is the claim that the western side of New Guinea is inhabited by Melanesian people who differ from the rest of archipelago. The West Papua status remaining unsolved brings about the criticism. The world condemns the Dutch act as it would be a new strategy for the colonial to take over West Papua. Additionally, the refusal allows the Indonesian delegations to feel displeasure and even indignation.
The United States of Indonesia Should Pay the Debts Inherited by the Dutch
Incurring the debt inherited by the Dutch East Indies colonial after surrendering from the Japanese invaders in 1942 is another disadvantage which Indonesia must undergo. The Dutch initially compels the archipelago to fork out the expense of Dutch military action. This one also puts the Indonesian representatives during the round table agreement on tension and anger. Fortunately, the United States of Indonesia only pays for the sovereignty transfer after one of the members of United Nations commission involves in settling the financial dispute. Beyond any doubt, the Indonesian party agrees to pay off the debt of the government of Dutch East Indies that spends around 4.3 billion Guilders.
The Result of the Round Table Conference is the Form of New Colonialism
The round table conference actually results in a fresh shape called new colonialism. Why this one could happen as the primary points in the agreement designate that the creation of the United States of Indonesia is eventually propitious to the Netherlands. Yes, it seems that the occupation and imperialism are over, but the federal formation is an advanced step for the Dutch to take over the administration in Indonesia. This type of system is absolutely prone to the issues of disunity. The societies would easily be affected by the social issues dividing the people based on the economic stratification. In addition to that, the Dutch kingdom is within easy reach to exploit the natural resources.
The sovereignty transfer stated in the official document of round table conference is in fact, contradictory to the revolutionary principle of August 17th, 1945. As a sovereign nation, the independence value should highly be respected. The concept of federal formation ruins the form of a republic that has a close relation with the basic outline of democracy. Despite being considered as a country, the United States of Indonesia is just another imperialism of which control is under the government of Netherlands. The further implication once the new colonialism is run across the nation, the political chaos and cabinet failure seem unavoidable. The separatism issues like Islamic states (DI/TII) and Republic of South Maluku are also the long-term impact.
To sum up, the round table conference does not end up with something great for Indonesia. The result of negotiation makes the archipelago unable to free West Papua from the Dutch authority, pay off the debts, and go through the new form of colonialism.
