A chief but unrecognized supporter of Indonesia’s independence
Neither Australia nor Indonesia has fully recognized the myriad ways Australia’s 16th prime minister Ben Chifley used his timely influence to end colonial rule.
Ben Chifley, Australia's 16th Prime Minister, played an unrecognized yet crucial role in Indonesia's fight for independence during the 1945-1949 war against Dutch recolonization. Despite neither Australia nor Indonesia acknowledging his contributions, Chifley's influence was instrumental in ending colonial rule. His anticolonial ethos emerged early in life, shaped by a visit to the Dutch East Indies in the 1920s, where he witnessed "near-slavery conditions".
Chifley, who later became a locomotive driver and entered politics, developed a deep understanding of economics, rivaling graduates from prestigious institutions. Even in the face of criticism from the United States and the United Kingdom, who deemed Australia's stance "irresponsible", Chifley's commitment to Indonesia remained steadfast.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post Academia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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