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| Tjilik Riwut, Dayak nationalist from Kasongan, born 1918. |
By Rangkaya Bada
Tjilik Riwut was born in Kasongan, Katingan, Central Kalimantan, on February 2, 1918. A Dayak by heritage, he carried a fierce sense of nationalism, one that blossomed through his education and interactions in Java.
Though he came from a remote part of the archipelago, Tjilik would go on to become a major figure in Indonesia's independence struggle, even forging a close relationship with Soekarno, the nation’s first president and its founding father.
From Journalism to Independence Struggle
During the Japanese occupation, Riwut was recruited to gather intelligence on Kalimantan for the Japanese military. However, he used this position to build valuable networks and coordinate with indigenous communities deep in the jungle, laying the groundwork for uniting the people of Kalimantan during the struggle for independence.
A Leader Who Built Central Kalimantan
Riwut became part of the second wave of the 96th Expeditionary Force sent from Java to confront the Dutch in Kalimantan. On October 17, 1947, he led the first-ever parachute drop in Indonesian military history at Desa Sambi in Pangkalanbun, Central Kalimantan, with the MN 1001 Mobile Brigade. This event would later be celebrated as the founding day of the Indonesian Air Force Special Forces, making it a significant moment in the nation's military history.
At the time, Riwut held the rank of Major in the Indonesian National Armed Forces. He would go on to earn the title of First Marshal of Honor in the Indonesian Air Force. One of his most significant contributions was representing the 142 Dayak tribes in Kalimantan, totaling around 185,000 people, who declared their loyalty to the Republic of Indonesia. On December 17, 1946, they took the Oath of Loyalty at Gedung Agung in Yogyakarta, solidifying the Dayak people’s commitment to the nation’s cause.
Riwut’s political journey began after the war, and he quickly became a key figure in regional governance. In 1950, he was appointed as Wedana in Sampit, Central Kalimantan, before becoming the Bupati (Regent) of Kotawaringin Timur from 1951 to 1956. He continued to rise through the ranks, becoming the Resident of Central Kalimantan in 1958. From 1959 to 1967, Riwut served as the first Governor of Central Kalimantan, playing a crucial role in the development of the province, including overseeing the establishment of Palangkaraya as its capital city.
Riwut passed away on August 17, 1987, and was laid to rest at the Sanaman Lampang Heroes Cemetery in Palangka Raya. In recognition of his immense contributions to the nation, in 1998, the President of Indonesia posthumously awarded him the Bintang Mahaputra Adipradana and the title of National Hero.
Beyond his political and military achievements, Riwut was also a thoughtful intellectual and writer. His works, including Sejarah Kalimantan (1952), Maneser Panatau Tatu Hiang (1965), and Kalimantan Membangun (1979), continue to serve as essential references for understanding the history and development of Kalimantan and the Dayak people.
Tjilik Riwut didn’t just write books. He wrote his own legacy, one that lives on through his timeless contributions.
