Minister Zon Plans to Update a 350-Year Colonization Narrative

Jakarta, VIVA – Indonesia will update its official historical records by including newer findings and interpretations of historical events ahead of its 80th Independence anniversary next year, according to Minister of Culture Fadli Zon.

"Indonesia's historical records will be updated following newer historical research by our experts. We will draft the 'updated version' of our national history for the 80th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence," he added after a meeting with the Indonesian Historian Society (MSI) on Saturday.

The update will start with prehistoric records, he said, adding that newer research has revealed that Indonesia's ancient civilizations rose at an earlier date than the current consensus.

The minister highlighted that the estimated age of the ancient civilization remnants found in the Leang-Leang Cave in Maros, South Sulawesi, based on newer research, is 40,000–52,000 years, much earlier than the current estimate of 5,000 years.

"We should include these findings in our updated historical record," minister Zon stressed.

Meanwhile, MSI chairperson Agus Mulyana explained that the updates to Indonesia's historical records are aimed at instilling pride and confidence about the nation's historical past among the people. He assured that the revision will refer to scientific data and new historical and archaeological findings.

"According to research on historical artifacts, our prehistoric period actually began much earlier than other nations such as Egypt or European countries. We need to update our historical records," he said.

Mulyana, who is also the dean of Indonesia University of Education's (UPI's) Faculty of Social Studies, said that the update will include new information about the Western colonialism era in pre-independence Indonesia.

He said that the updated historical records will clarify that the colonization of the Indonesian archipelago by the VOC (Dutch East Indies Company) and later the Dutch, for three centuries was a gradual process.

Therefore, the new narrative will revise the notion that "the whole of Indonesia was under foreign control for 350 years," as unconquered entities that coexisted with the colonial power during the period were nominally independent.

"For instance, Aceh was not conquered by the Dutch until the 1920s or 1930s. It means that prior to the period, Aceh was not under foreign occupation," Mulyana said.

"We need the reinterpretation to highlight that we are not a defeated nation," he stressed.

He added that the periodization of Indonesia's history, from prehistoric times until the Reform period in 1998 and the current presidency of Prabowo Subianto, will also be updated.