Machmud Singgirei Rumagesan

Machmud Singgirei Rumagesan was a king of Sekar and pro-integration activist from

Singgirei Rumagesan was involved in a conflict relating to Dutch oil mining company Maatschappij Colijn operating in Kokas in 1934, in which he asked them to employ local workers, give better treatment and pay. He was instrumental in setting up the operation hence the company complied and gave their wages to him to distribute, however the Bestuur Assistant requested the money, when he was rejected he reported to Controleur G. van den Terwijk. King Rumagesan and his subjects was involved in a fight with van den Terwijk and almost kill him, the conflict then became a broader rebellion. Dutch colonial authority in Fakfak found out of the incident and sent soldiers to stop the rebellion, as a result, 73 people alongside 5 village leaders were imprisoned and were sentence between 2–10 years. King Rumagesan was sentenced to 15 years in prison in Saparua, Moluccas. In prison he managed to write a letter asking for help to Mohammad Husni Thamrin a member of Volksraad at the time. Thamrin succeeded in bringing Rumagesan's case to court, Rumagesan won and was eventually freed in 1941.^[6][7][3]

During the

On 24 June 1950, Rumagesan was ushered by Albert Karubuy to visit Sukarno, in a meeting where he was disappointed that since 1950 Sukarno's speeches were only heard from "Sabang to Dobo" instead of "Sabang to Merauke", quoting Sukarno's speeches and the phrase would be popularised later on, he accepted the resolution of Round Table Conference that Irian matters should be solved after one year but instead have passed two and a half years, and would support republican government. On 26 January 1951, his daughter Boke Salha gave a public speech in Balikpapan in support of Irian becoming part of Indonesia and about her dad's experience fighting the Dutch in 1936.^[3] In 1953, he founded the movement Gerakan Tjendrawasih Revolusioner Irian Barat (GTRIB) and with Abbas Iha, Gerakan Organisasi Pemuda Cendrawasih Muda. He alongside King of Rumbati, Ibrahim Bauw, who founded the movement New Guinea Islamic Union (KING), advocated for Jihad Fisabilillah in Papuan mosques against Netherlands.^[4][11] In the same year there was a revolt in Fakfak Regency under the leadership of Abutalib bin Paris from Kokas.^[12]

Since 1950, He alongside N.L. Suwages had represented West Irian as member of a body called Supreme Advisory Council, it was restructured to be National Council in 1957, before it was returned to its previous structure in 1959.^[13] During this time he would accommodate J.A. Dimara in his house as Dimara recovered in Jakarta after invasion against RMS.^[14] He coordinated closely with President cabinet efforts on Irian in 1954, including his approved request of the formation of "Rumagessan Battalion" specially for Irian under T&T VII/Wirabuana in preparation for infiltration into New Guinea, the formation of Irian Bureau predecessor of Papua governorship and decision on its leadership board, although some of his suggestions would be rejected.^[15]

Front Nasional Pembebasan Irian Barat (FNPIB) was formed on 31 December 1959 to unite national effort on West Irian issues, Operation A under Col. Magenda would be to train Papuans volunteers for infiltration to West New Guinea from North Moluccas, Operation B would be focused on Papuan educations, and Operation C would be run by Uyeng Suwargana tasked with approaching groups in Netherlands to change its position.^[16] On 13–15 April 1961 there was a Cibogo Conference, Bogor, which was organized by Papuan exiles in Indonesia, whose goal was to organized joint civilian-military efforts on West Irian and to match efforts by New Guinea Council. Notable participants include Rumagesan, Suwages, Silas Papare, Sugoro Atmoprasojo, Abdul Haris Nasution, and member DPRGR of West Irian, Adrianus Leonard Marani. By December 1961 Depertan was formed a body which would form West Irian High Command (KOTI), and eventually the Trikora declaration by Sukarno on 19 December 1961.^[12]

As the leader of GTRIB he was given honorary certification from Kodam VII/Wirabuana Resimen Infanteri-25 and from chief of staff of Indonesian Army.^[17]

Personal life

When Singgirei visited to Sulawesi with Sukarno in 1950s, he was welcomed by local dancers. One of those dancers was Janiba, a 17 year old princess from Gowa Sultanate.^[2][18] He would marry her and she would gave birth to Rustuty Rumagesan.^[2] Singgirei was succeeded by his son, after he died, there was a conflict of succession, hence Rustuty was asked to become the king. She rejected the Raja title and instead style herself as "Ratu Petuanan Tanah Rata Kokoda".^[2] After she died, PYM. Arief Rumagesan, fifth grandchild of Singgirei, succeeded her as "Raja Petuanan Pikpik Sekar".^[19]

References