Djohor Uprising: Difference between revisions

In 1941, the Netherlands initiated a series of reforms, called the ''Herschikking'' ("reordering")'','' to centralize governance in the East Indies and enhance the efficiency of resource extraction. This involved a large-scale mechanization of the agricultural sector, resulting in significant social changes including mass internal migration, urbanization, and the growth of informal housing in cities. Several local sultanates and kingdoms, including Djohor, were politically neutered, contributing to a sense of dissatisfaction and unrest among the populace.

[[File:Dutch soldiers landing in Malaya during the 1950 emergency.jpg|thumb|The 9th Batavian regiment disembarking near Djohor prior to the start of the Djohor counteroffensive.]]The 9th Batavian regiment disembarking near Djohor prior to the start of the Djohor counteroffensive.Governor-General Martien van der Goot of the Dutch East Indies was adamant that the Djohor rebellion needed to be quelled to prevent the potential for a "domino effect" of uprisings across the East Indies. He was personally affronted by the ease with which the Djohor sultanate had managed to eliminate the Dutch authorities in the region, a factor which had a significant impact on Dutch colonial policy leading up to the East Indies Crisis in the 1960s and 1970s. According to recently declassified documents, Governor-General van der Goot issued a controversial order to the commander of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL), Lieutenant-Generaal J.A. Vetter: “''Make an example out of these rebels; kill them all''.”

[[File:KNIL soldiers of the 9th Batavian regiment fighting.jpg|thumb|233x233px|Soldiers of the 9th Regiment in Johor, firing from their positions.]]Soldiers of the 9th Regiment in Johor, firing from their positions.In the weeks that followed, the KNIL forces gradually encircled the city of Djohor, clashing with the Sultan's forces, which were both poorly equipped and inadequately organized. By the end of May, KNIL forces had successfully breached the city's defenses, marking the shift of the rebellion to urban warfare.

The last week of May 1952 has later been referred to as "''The Butchering of Djohor''" due to the widespread atrocities committed by KNIL soldiers. Reports of mass killings of civilians, rape & torture are attested to by first hand and third party investigation of the event. Additionally the KNIL were known to utilize "death squads" in rounding up opposition or suspected rebel forces.[[File:Walking past it all.jpg|thumb|KNIL soldiers with a Stier Panzerkannon, routing out the last of the resistance in the city.]]KNIL soldiers with a Stier Panzerkannon, routing out the last of the resistance in the city.Reports suggest that the KNIL soldiers were indiscriminate in their handling of the local population, perceiving all locals as potential rebels. This approach resulted in widespread devastation and significant population displacement. On May 30, the palace of Djohor fell to the KNIL forces. Subsequent accounts indicate that the sultan and his family were subjected to a period of purported torture before being executed without trial.