Fate of “Pawns” and International Politics

Kompas/Madina Nusrat

A number of former East Timorese refugees sit at their camp of 18 years in Silawan village, Kakuluk Mesak district, Belu regency, East Nusa Tenggara, on Tuesday (11/4). They took a pro-integration stance onthe referendum in East Timor in 1999 that favored independence. They have refused to return to their villages, which are now part of the sovereign state of Timor Leste.

Editorial Introduction: “Reading Indonesia” is back this week with a closer look at the years that make up the final period of the Old Order to today. This reportage is a continuation of a previous piece on the Majapahit Kingdom, the arrival of Islam in the archipelago, as well as the early arrival and resistance against colonialism, the rise of the nationalist ideology and the early period of independence.

“Our political line cannot be determined by the political direction of another nation that is based on its own interests, even though we both stand on the side of anti-imperialism.” (Mohammad Hatta, Mendayung Antara Dua Karang, 1948)