The Colonial Aristocratic Bureaucrats (Pangreh Praja) Surviving the Revolution:

The Case of West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

The revolution that broke out in 1945 was not a complete turning point in the history of Indonesia, because the colonial indigenous bureaucrats and the colonial bureaucracy as a system survived the revolution and continued into the nation-state era. Why did this happen? This paper looks in particular at the indigenous bureaucrats, tracing their actions and behavior during and just after the revolutionary period (1945-1950) in West Java.
 During the colonial period, the West Javanese aristocratic class was coopted as colonial administrative bureaucrats, called Pangreh Praja (ruler of the realm), and had influence over the indigenous people.
 When the Republic of Indonesia (RI) declared its independence in August 1945,after the Japanese occupation, Pangreh Praja soon pledged their loyalty to the new nation-state and nearly became the republic bureaucrats with the central government's willing acceptance. It failed, however, for two reasons: the social revolution and the return of the Dutch. The social revolution swept through West Java, and in some parts of the region the top local Pangreh Praja were ousted and forced to flee. The central government of RI tried to reestablish the old order by installing other Pangreh Praja. This attempt failed because of the Dutch occupation of West Java. There the Dutch attempted to build a puppet state called Negara Pasundan. They recruited ex-colonial bureaucrats into the state apparatus, and many Pangreh Praja joined the state, even though they had formerly been RI employees.
 Negara Pasundan, however, was not recognized as a state by the Sundanese and in a few years it was disbanded and included into the RI. This brought about a crisis for the Pangreh Praja of Negara Pasundan. They were labeled as “cooperators” (Co) by the loyal RI supporters (Non). They were on the verge of being fired. But the upper echelon faired well. Why?
 First, they were useful human resources in the new nation-state. They were highly educated and had the knowledge and experiences to administer the state. Second, they had a close family network. The network encompassed both Negara Pasundan and RI, and attenuated the sharp attack against those on the Co side.