The End At Taman Cikutra

Claiming to be an anti-Dutch Javanese, Ernest Douwes Dekker played a central role in Sukarno's circles during the early days of the Republic. He often visited Taman Siswa, the school established by Ki Hadjar Dewantara, when he was not busy at the State Palace.Dekker joined Masyumi because he was interested in the idea of the modern Islamic movement launched by Natsir. Soon after his release from detention, Dekker met his end due to illness. His heart was weak, his lungs eroded by bronchitis.

August 18, 2012

Grumpy Old Man

Back in Indonesia, Dekker was named a state minister, becoming an important advisor to Sukarno.

At the end of Jalan Malioboro, south of the Yogyakarta State Palace, is an old white building, which will celebrate its centennary in three years time. When the capital of the Republic moved to Yogyakarta during the revolutionary years, it housed the Information Ministry.

The building, which was not part of the Palace compound, was named

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