In fine morning of January 1950, in the earliest days of United States (of Indonesia), a former Dutch commando named Raymond "Turk" Westerling sent an ultimatum to Indonesian government, demanding for the entrenchment of federal system by establishing state army. If not, his Army of Just King will overthrow the republic.
Naturally, the overwhelmingly pro-unionist federal government (and one that know Westerling's track record in Sulawesi) refused this and angrily sending sharply written letters to Dutch consulate in Indonesia, demanding for them to take care of the rogue general.
Westerling, that madlad, actually followed through. He seized Bandung in January 22, dawn. He intended to capture Jakarta the next day
(Un)fortunately, the plan failed. The ever-trustworthy Wikipe-tan said that the failure to plant ammunition depot in Jakarta at Jan 22, night is to blame, because of the meddling KNIL officer. The next day, the putschist arrive in Jakarta empty handed, and quickly lose momentum
The Westerling affair quickly accelerate the downfall of the federal system. Pasundan, the state where Westerling demanded to be able to have APRA as state's army, was dissolved in March 11th. Other follows
The relation between Netherland and Indonesia, which legally under Union with Netherland, soured. The Dutch was blamed for not actively preventing the coup
Say that APRA succeded in plainting ammo depot that night. Or say the Dutch secretely back APRA, instead of sending stringly-worded letter against it. Either way, the coup was a success. How would it develop?
From various source I gathered, there was only 2 person in USI cabinet that was pro-federalist: Sultan Hamid II from West Kalimantan and Ide Anak Agung from East Indonesia. Similary, in the wider Indonesja, most of parliamentarians were in favor of unitary state, even in East Indonesia. How would they deal with the federalist coup?
In OTL, the major groups supported federalism: KNIL vets, Ambonese (and Minahasan), and traditional aristocrat. Are these enough to uphold the federalism?
Sultan Hamid, in OTL, was offered collaboration by Westerling, which he accept. Three person was on APRA hitlist: Hamengkubuwono IX, Ali Budiarjo, and T.B Simatumpang, all connected to Defense Ministry. If all three was killed, Sultan Hamid would be the new minister of defense. How would the rest of cabinet respond to this? Sukarno would certainly be mad
Among political parties, none overtly support federalism. PNI and Murba Party are the loudest in support for unionism. Masyumi is cautious, but ultimately unitarianist. PKI is silent, they're still rebuilding. Can Westerling court Masyumi to his side. Or God forbid, PKI?
In 1950's, several rebellions and independent armed forces were active in the republic, the most notorious was Kartosuwiryo's Darul Islam, but also relatively loyal group like Kebaktian Rakyat Indonesia Sulawesi. How would Westerling deal with them? Can they be a good source for backing?
If you're still reading this, congratulations and thank you. Please discuss below, if you like
Naturally, the overwhelmingly pro-unionist federal government (and one that know Westerling's track record in Sulawesi) refused this and angrily sending sharply written letters to Dutch consulate in Indonesia, demanding for them to take care of the rogue general.
Westerling, that madlad, actually followed through. He seized Bandung in January 22, dawn. He intended to capture Jakarta the next day
(Un)fortunately, the plan failed. The ever-trustworthy Wikipe-tan said that the failure to plant ammunition depot in Jakarta at Jan 22, night is to blame, because of the meddling KNIL officer. The next day, the putschist arrive in Jakarta empty handed, and quickly lose momentum
The Westerling affair quickly accelerate the downfall of the federal system. Pasundan, the state where Westerling demanded to be able to have APRA as state's army, was dissolved in March 11th. Other follows
The relation between Netherland and Indonesia, which legally under Union with Netherland, soured. The Dutch was blamed for not actively preventing the coup
Say that APRA succeded in plainting ammo depot that night. Or say the Dutch secretely back APRA, instead of sending stringly-worded letter against it. Either way, the coup was a success. How would it develop?
From various source I gathered, there was only 2 person in USI cabinet that was pro-federalist: Sultan Hamid II from West Kalimantan and Ide Anak Agung from East Indonesia. Similary, in the wider Indonesja, most of parliamentarians were in favor of unitary state, even in East Indonesia. How would they deal with the federalist coup?
In OTL, the major groups supported federalism: KNIL vets, Ambonese (and Minahasan), and traditional aristocrat. Are these enough to uphold the federalism?
Sultan Hamid, in OTL, was offered collaboration by Westerling, which he accept. Three person was on APRA hitlist: Hamengkubuwono IX, Ali Budiarjo, and T.B Simatumpang, all connected to Defense Ministry. If all three was killed, Sultan Hamid would be the new minister of defense. How would the rest of cabinet respond to this? Sukarno would certainly be mad
Among political parties, none overtly support federalism. PNI and Murba Party are the loudest in support for unionism. Masyumi is cautious, but ultimately unitarianist. PKI is silent, they're still rebuilding. Can Westerling court Masyumi to his side. Or God forbid, PKI?
In 1950's, several rebellions and independent armed forces were active in the republic, the most notorious was Kartosuwiryo's Darul Islam, but also relatively loyal group like Kebaktian Rakyat Indonesia Sulawesi. How would Westerling deal with them? Can they be a good source for backing?
If you're still reading this, congratulations and thank you. Please discuss below, if you like