With his power-even to wear the shoes he had helped other people, Saih go to the Netherlands in November last year. Junito Drias from Radio Netherlands, had record Saih trip to the land that had robbed her family's life. "I have no grudge," said Saih. His face full of wrinkles. His cap a little saggy.
Looking back on the proclamation of the Republic of Indonesia 66 years ago, certainly Saih story is worth re-listened to. He is the witness of the infamous massacre, a Dutch war crimes in Indonesia: 431 people Rawagede annihilated. Including fathers, and friends Saih.
As a witness to tragedy Rawagede, Saih want to finish it jammed it in the rest of his life. "Instead of kepikiran continue, the important Dutch apologize to Indonesia," he said in a videotape Saih Radio Netherlands that.
The story begins December 9, 1947, when the Dutch launched an aggression to the young republic of Indonesia. About 300 Dutch troops invaded Rawagede, village farmers are so poor republican guerrilla base.
Led by Major Alphons Wijnen, hundreds of Dutch soldiers combing the village. Not a single trace found guerrillas. Residents are also silent. The wrath of the dissent that, Wijnen force all men above 15 years gathered in the field. The sun was not high. Residents were lined up on the field.
The soldiers suddenly cocked the weapon. Then-Trat Trat-tat-tat. The bullet sped, hundreds of bloody collapse. Somebody tried to run, but it's anathema bullets faster than the skinny legs of the farmers.
Saih Sakam son escaped death. He was only wounded in the back, and hands. To Radio Netherlands, Saih showed that gunshot scars. "Bullets were fired at the body like this", said Saih. In back, there are former black circle. "Not happy times, so I shot again in the hand," said Saih.
According to him, victims of the massacre that day only to men. Most youth. The women and children, survived. (Read the detailed story of the massacre at the Scattered in Rawagede)
Looking for Luke
What to look for the Netherlands in Rawagede? "They are looking for Kustario Captain Luke," said historian of Sanata Dharma University in Yogyakarta, Dr. Baskara Wardaya to VIVAnews, last week in Yogyakarta. Luke is the company commander Siliwangi.
Dubbed "Begundal Falkirk", Luke is the most pursued the Netherlands. Ulahnya dizzying. He often attacked the military post. He led his men hijack a train, steal weapons, and ammunition kumpeni.
Rawagede itself is the path trajectory of the guerrillas. Various paramilitary people stop there. Also, the thugs and robbers. "Luke is a target of the Netherlands," said Baskara. People Rawagede himself defending militants.
That is why, says Baskara, they are silent. Because it's silent, furious Netherlands. "431 people were killed. There are a few who escaped, and pretended to die. They then told the incident, "said Baskara added.
Saih went to the Netherlands at the invitation of Dutch Debt of Honor Committee. He really wants to meet the current Dutch queen, Beatrix. "Kepinginnya still met the Queen, and apologized. But the important thing, shaking hands. We're also grateful, and I forgive, "said Saih. Unfortunately, for unclear reasons, refused to meet Queen Beatrix Saih.
In addition to Queen Beatrix, Saih also rebuffed by the Dutch parliament from the Foreign Affairs Commission. It is unclear also why. But there is relief: Saih be told school children in the City Gronigen, Netherlands Northeast.
To elementary school children, Saih told that she would sue the Dutch army. He wants to apologize to the Dutch Indonesia, and pay compensation. The students were aghast. They did not think the Dutch never cruel.
Expired?
But, not to mention it to his ideals, Saih Sakam son died on May 7, 2011. He was the last victim of the tragedy Rawagede surviving until the 21st century. He's gone, just when the Dutch began to open up the case in court.
The relatives of victims of the massacre proceeded (See chronology in Infografik: Floods Blood in Rawagede). On June 20, 2011, they demanded the Netherlands, through the court in The Hague. The goal, the Dutch have to acknowledge the massacre, apologize, and compensate.
Although not officially voiced, the Government of Indonesia reportedly supports the steps that victims of the massacre Rawagede.
Government support was expressed by Chairman of the Foundation Rawagede Sukarman to VIVAnews, in Rawagede, Balongsari Village, District Rawamerta, Falkirk last week. Sukarman was the grandson of one of the victims. He has been back and forth to follow the Hague Rawagede litigation cases in the Court of the Netherlands.
According Sukarman, before suing to the Netherlands last August 15, 2008, they asked for permission to Commission I and Commission III, as well as to the MPR. "We were also invited to the State Department, and directly linked to the European Bureau. They say, continue to demand it, "said Sukarman.
During the process of any lawsuit, Sukarman assisted by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (Embassy) in the Netherlands. The case was opened June 20, 2011. Plaintiffs are relatives of victims Rawagede. Defendant was the Dutch government.
War argument appeared in court. Lawyer Liesbeth Zegveld plaintiff is. He is actively defending the case of human rights internationally, including crimes against humanity in Srebrenica, Bosnia.
In that trial, as well as testimony Zegveld told Saih Sakam bin. Committee of Dutch Honorary Debts are also demanding compensation for victims Rawagede. There is also dispute about the number of victims. Plaintiff says that killed 431 people. The excesses of the Netherlands in the Memorandum of 1969, said only 150 people.
In addition, the new facts presented by the plaintiff, in the form of correspondence. Mentioned, Dutch officials no doubt Wijnen guilty. Gen. Simon Spoor wrote a letter to the attorney general, that the Military Court will punish Major Wijnen. But, the Attorney General could not be sued Wijnen. The reason, the case was 'no longer intervene, and foreign interest'.
Zegveld judge of the widows whose husbands were killed in Rawagede Dutch military, was treated fairly. This when compared to victims of the second world war crimes against Jews. Their rights as victims of World War II recognized, and receive compensation. "There is a habit of not refusing the demands of Dutch victims of World War II only because of expiration. This policy should also apply to widows of Rawagede, "Zegveld said, as quoted by Radio Netherlands.
Previously, GJH Houtzagers Dutch lawyer said the case was the murder by a Dutch soldier was outdated. Moreover, the last survivors, Saih bin Sakam, had died last May. Houtzagers also gave another argument. He said, there is agreement the Netherlands and Indonesia in 1966. It contained, the parties agree to end the financial dispute.
Houtzagers remind Indonesia and the Netherlands are now working in many ways. "Helping not just Netherlands Rawagede village, but also other regions. Both countries are looking ahead, building a future together, and not see the past, "said Houtzagers.
The door to other cases
Interestingly, Zegveld said, if the case Rawagede win in court. Positive impact for victims of other Dutch military action in Indonesia. They could claim damages as well.
"We want to tell the Dutch people the truth. This is not the case Rawagede only. In South Sulawesi there are massacres Raymond Westerling, there are also cases in Central Java Kaliprogo, Death in Bondowoso carriage, and so on ", said Jeffry Pondaag of the Committee of Dutch Honorary Debts.
Batara sure, if the Netherlands is consistent, then the case could be won. He filed an example. Two years ago, there were former German soldiers sentenced to life imprisonment. He massacred four civilians in the Netherlands during the war. "He was convicted of killing four people. So logically, who massacred tens of thousands could be brought to international courts. That's why we filed the case Rawagede, "said Batara to VIVAnews.
Did the lawsuit from Rawagede? Hague Court judge said there was still studying the pleadings on both sides. They immediately give a decision within 90 days, or mid-September 2011.
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