MH Thamrin, the First Betawi Hero to be Part of the Volksraad

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Mohammad Husni Thamrin made history as the first Betawi hero to become a member of the Volksraad in 1927. Born in Batavia, this national movement figure utilized the colonial-established people’s council to fight for Indonesia’s independence through cooperative means.

Born in Sawah Besar, Batavia, on February 16, 1894, he grew up in a wealthy family and completed his education at the Koning Willem III Gymnasium. Before entering the world of politics, he pursued a career as a civil servant in the regent’s office, the residency office, and the Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij (KPM) shipping company.

His political career began when he was appointed to the Batavia City Council in 1919 and later served as Deputy Mayor of Batavia. In addition to his work in local government, Thamrin was also active in leading the Kaum Betawi organization starting in 1923 to improve the local community’s education, health, and trade.

Through the Volksraad, Thamrin courageously fought for the rights of the indigenous people and denounced various discriminatory policies of the Dutch colonial government. One of his most significant actions was exposing the brutal “Poenale Sanctie” practices against plantation laborers in East Sumatra, which sparked an international outcry and ultimately led to the abolition of that regulation.

In addition to his efforts in the People’s Council, he also held a strategic role in the Great Indonesia Party (Parindra) as Chairperson of the Political Department, eventually rising to become Parindra’s Vice Chair in 1938. Thamrin even once proposed a motion to change the term “Netherlands East Indies” to “Indonesia,” though the motion was ultimately rejected by the Dutch government.

Thamrin’s tireless struggle came to a halt when the colonial government grew suspicious of his activities and accused him of collaborating with Japan on the eve of World War II. He was placed under house arrest on January 6, 1941, while ill and without permission to receive visits from his friends.

This movement leader ultimately passed away in mid-January 1941 at his residence and was buried at Karet Cemetery in Jakarta. In recognition of his contributions and struggle for the nation’s independence, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia posthumously honored Mohammad Husni Thamrin as a National Hero through Presidential Decree No. 175/1960 on July 28, 1960.