Mohammad Rikaz Prabowo

Beyond Java: dr. Rubini, Political Exile, and the Dynamics of Peripheral Nationalism in Colonial Indonesia (1920–1944)

Introduction

Beyond java: dr. Rubini, political exile, and the dynamics of peripheral nationalism in colonial indonesia (1920–1944). Explore Dr. Rubini's pivotal role in Indonesian nationalism, leading anti-colonial resistance in West Kalimantan against Dutch and Japanese rule (1920-1944). Discover his legacy.

Abstract

Rubini was a national movement activist in West Kalimantan who, in 1939, became the chairman of Parindra and then led the resistance against Japan from 1942 to 1944. This study aims to explain his background and role in the struggle against colonialism during the Dutch and Japanese eras. The study uses historical methods, including heuristics, verification, interpretation, and historiography. Based on the analysis, the following conclusions are drawn: First, Rubini was born into an educated and respected aristocratic family in Sundanese society. During his time as a STOVIA student, he interacted with national political movements such as the Paguyuban Pasundan, which developed a nationalist attitude. Second, in 1939, he became one of the heads of the West Kalimantan commissariat; through exemplary cooperation and efforts, this party became a major political force there at that time. Third, Dr. Rubini, along with other activists, founded Nissinkwai (1942), which pretended to collaborate with the Japanese. In 1943, Rubini led an underground resistance movement. Unfortunately, this action was discovered by the Japanese; he and other activists were arrested and executed on June 28, 1944. The struggle he led was one of the factors that triggered the Dayak resistance in 1945 and influenced his colleagues' efforts to maintain independence. This research contributes to the historiography of the national movement and the Japanese occupation, particularly in the context of local history in West Kalimantan. This research adds to the list of doctors who participated in the struggle for independence in the nation's history.

Review

The proposed paper, "Beyond Java: dr. Rubini, Political Exile, and the Dynamics of Peripheral Nationalism in Colonial Indonesia (1920–1944)," offers a highly promising and much-needed contribution to the historiography of Indonesian nationalism. By shifting focus from the Java-centric narratives to the often-overlooked figure of Dr. Rubini and his significant role in West Kalimantan, the research promises to illuminate the diverse and complex manifestations of the national movement in the outer islands. The abstract clearly outlines a rigorous historical methodology, covering both the Dutch colonial era and the Japanese occupation, and positions the study as a valuable addition to both local history and broader understandings of the independence struggle. The abstract effectively summarizes key findings, detailing Rubini's formative years, his engagement with nationalist movements like Paguyuban Pasundan during his STOVIA days, and his subsequent rise as a prominent leader of Parindra in West Kalimantan. The narrative of his leadership in the resistance against the Japanese, including the intriguing aspect of founding Nissinkwai as a "pretended collaboration" before leading an underground movement, adds a layer of complexity to the understanding of wartime resistance strategies. His tragic execution in 1944 and the claimed impact on the Dayak resistance of 1945 and subsequent independence efforts underscore the lasting legacy of his struggle. This detailed biographical reconstruction is a significant strength, bringing a previously under-researched figure into sharper academic focus. To fully deliver on the ambitious promise of its title, particularly regarding the "dynamics of peripheral nationalism," the full paper must go beyond a descriptive account of Rubini's life. It should analytically unpack *how* Rubini's experiences and strategies in West Kalimantan specifically demonstrate or contribute to these dynamics, perhaps by contrasting them with nationalism in the metropole or other peripheral regions. The concept of "pretended collaboration" also demands deeper analytical treatment, exploring its strategic rationale, risks, and effectiveness in the specific context of West Kalimantan under Japanese rule. Furthermore, while the abstract states conclusions, the paper should meticulously present the evidence and the analytical chain linking Rubini's actions to their broader impact on the Dayak resistance and post-independence efforts, thereby strengthening its theoretical underpinnings and ensuring its profound scholarly contribution.

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