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The Institute of Southeast Asian Studies was established as an
autonomous organization in May 1968. It is a regional research
centre for scholars and other specialists concerned with modern
Southeast Asia, particularly the multi-faceted problems of
stability and security, economic development, and political and
social change.
The Institute is governed by a twenty-two-member Board of
Trustees comprising nominees from the Singapore Government,
the National University of Singapore, the various Chambers of
Commerce, and professional and civic organizations. A ten-man
Executive Committee oversees day-to-day operations; it is chaired
by the Director, the Institute's chief academic and administrative
officer.
The responsibility for facts and opinions expressed in this
publication rests exclusively with the author and his
interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views or the policy of
the Institute or its supporters.
H E
6- IYL8 - / ^
REPUBLICAN!
A STUDY OF THE ACEHNESE REBELLION
NAZARUDDIN SJAMSUDDIN
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INSTITUTE OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN STUDIES
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Published by
Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
Heng Mui Keng Terrace
Pasir Panjang
Singapore 0511
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted,, in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior
permission of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
© 1985 Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
ISBN 9971-988-16-X (soft cover edition)
ISBN 9971-988-15-1 (hard cover edition)
Cover photo:
The Royal Mosque in Kutaraja, Aceh
Printed by Singapore National Printers (Pte) Ltd.
TO
MY WIFE NURNIDA,
AND OUR THREE CHILDREN,
MELBY, AMALIA, AND SALLIKA
Preface
T he rebellion that broke out throughout Aceh in September
1953 was a turning point in Acehnese political history as far
as the region's relations with the Indonesian Central Government
were concerned. It was a significant turning point if only because
just a few years earlier the Acehnese had demonstrated what
seemed to have been boundless loyalty to the Indonesian Central
Government when it was facing a crisis of survival during the
national struggle for independence. The whole network of local
political forces and institutions which had mobilized the people to
oppose the Dutch in the 1945-49 revolutionary period and support
the Republic of Indonesia throughout the course of the national
revolution, turned to challenge the Central Government several
years later in a bloody armed struggle.
Any study of this rebellion must therefore be related to the
broader background of the course of the national revolution in the
region and the kinds of aspirations and expectations stimulated by
the prospect of independence. For the newly independent
government in Jakarta, just as for the old colonial authorities in
Batavia, Aceh turned out to be a singular difficult region to control.
In fact, many Indonesians, if not most, regard the Acehnese as a
"stubborn" people. How far that description is true the reader may
judge better for himself after reading this account. In order to
Vlll Preface
clarify the political problem confronted by the Central
Government, I have related this study of the rebellion not only to
the general course of events in the national revolution but also to
certain earlier socio-political trends in the region during the
colonial period.
f~~~ Unlike some studies on regional politics in Indonesia, this
book attempts to look at the problems from the perspective of the
/^region concerned, and not from the national level. In so doing, it
hopes to clarify most aspects of Acehnese political life and
behaviour which had led the people to rebel against the authority
of the Central Government in Jakarta. This, I believe, can most
likely be achieved from a thorough look at the region, paying close
attention to nuances that might have been overlooked otherwise.
Only in this way would the problem of strained relations between
the people of Aceh and their Central Government in Jakarta be
placed on a more proportional basis. As such, this study would be
a complement to other studies which concentrate on the national-
level approach.
Looking at the problems faced by the local people in their own
regions has other advantages as well. The first is that a close look
at the problems would bring about more carefully thought out
conclusions because more factors, sometimes felt too detailed to
attend to and often intertwined, come to attention. These factors,
or even nuances, which might have been ignored otherwise, often
deserve better consideration. Secondly, this kind of study would
definitely bring particularities existing in the regions to the fore,
thus enabling us to compare one region with another. This will
provide a better understanding of national problems faced by a
multi-ethnic country such as Indonesia. Finally, but more
importantly, through this approach it is hoped that a complete
picture of the region would be obtained.
Of course, there is a significant weakness in overconcentrating
on a regional-level approach. Too much importance given to
regional elements to explain events would be dangerous as it
might not only mislead but also create biases. This weakness can
be minimized, however, if other works that have been based upon
the national-level approach are also kept in view.
This book originated from my doctoral thesis presented to the
