West Java Singapore people’s resistance to Japan
The Singaparna people’s struggle in West Java against the Japanese amid colonialism is definitely the toughest time for the Indonesian nation, although the struggle never ends. This fight is certainly one of the biggest battles in Indonesia to try to fend off the invaders.
During colonial times, of course, there were various things that the colonizers did that made the Indonesian people miserable and tormented. Therefore, various efforts were made to be able to purchase the welfare and independence of the community, especially in the West Java area. This is certainly also done with the support of various parties in it.
There was an important figure that later appeared in the event of the West Java Singaparna people’s resistance to the Japanese . With his leadership, more and more people joined forces to spend and subdue the various unfriendly attitudes of the invaders, in this case the Japanese at that time.
Denial of movements that trigger battles
When Japan began to control Indonesian territory, it not only established its power, but its various cultures were taken to influence the people. Surely you have also heard or read about it. One of the cultures that Japan is also trying to impose is to pay homage to its flag.
Not only that, but Japan also tried to force the Indonesian people to sing their national anthem. Including a sun-turned greeting in honor of the Japanese emperor or called seikerei. Basically, in the religion that the Japanese people believe, bending to meet the sun is a form of respect for the sun god.
This was opposed and rejected by the Indonesian people and became one of the reasons for the resistance of the people of the Singapore West Java against the Japanese at that time. It is certain that the existence of seikerei is also opposed by many existing scholars because it is also similar to the prayer movement. So that further confuses the hot atmosphere at that time and causes bigger problems between Japan and Indonesia.
There have been many great priests who oppose the existence of this movement and call on their troops to fight the opposing army. Of course, this was done in defense of independence and did not want to do what is the religious belief of the Japanese people. But because it is so emphasized, the invading army will consider anyone who does not want to do so as a dissident and deserves to be punished.
Singaporean people’s opposition to Japanese politics
One of the priests who at that time rejected the seikerei movement was KH Zainal Mustafa. He and all his students in Pesantren Sukamanah apparently refused to do so and triggered the resistance of the people of the Singapore West Java against the Japanese. It also includes saying that for Muslims to do seikerei, it is a hidden act and should be avoided.
Of course, KH Zainal Mustafa did not remain silent as he watched the Japanese torture anyone who rejected the movement. He began to strategize to increase the force so that he could rebel properly against the Japanese forces. Troops of the students of the pesants were deployed in order to be able to fight the enemy.
Only before there was resistance between the people of the Singapore West Java against the Japanese, the invaders sent their people to hold talks with KH Zainal Mustafa so that he understood. But it turned out that in the end the Japanese envoy was actually killed and angered the invaders so they decided to use a harsher method.
Until finally, the resistance of the people of the Singapore West Java against the Japanese was no longer inevitable. Although the number of troops is definitely lost a lot so that the opposing army can master the resistance. There were so many troops from the pesants who were imprisoned by the Japanese and killed for being dissidents and disobeying their orders.
The Singapore people who are anti-colonial
The people in the Singaparna area themselves are actually people who tend to be religious. So that the different policies of the colonizers are really very anti, especially with the various atrocities that have been committed. This is highly incompatible with the religious understanding adopted by most Singaparna people, namely Islam.
One of the obstacles to the resistance of the people of the Singapore West Java against the Japanese was because of the large number of people who died due to forced labor at that time. Similarly, all Japanese behavior seems inhumane. They have the heart to do everything possible to punish anyone who does not want to obey what has been ordered and is considered a rebel.
In addition, there are more and more policies from the Japanese side and there is no need to reject them. The policy is considered contrary to religious teachings and is coercive in nature. So this makes the people live miserable lives and not have the freedom to do according to the teachings of their religion.
The West Java Singaparna people’s resistance struggle against the Japanese took place in Sukamanah Village for about an hour. The troops led by KH Zainal Mustafa carried swords and pointed bamboo as their weapons. There are combinations in addition to the students, there are also troops from Kempetai, Garut and Tasikmalaya. They all united to resist the arbitrary Japanese colonization even though they eventually had to lose.
Get to know the figure of KH Zainal Mustafa
KH Zainal Mustafa or who in his childhood was known as Umri or Hudaemi was actually an ordinary person. He studied at Gunung Pari Islamic Boarding School and changed places as a walking student. This, of course, is done in order to obtain deeper religious knowledge from different types of teachers and researchers.
After studying at several Islamic boarding schools in West Java and because of his intelligence, Umri was appointed assistant to Kyai Muttaqien. Umri has noble ambitions to be able to establish and manage his own farmer. Until finally this dream was realized in the Baguer Village area, the Singaporeans. Of course, this is the story before West Java Singaparna people’s resistance to the Japanese.
Umri then changed his name to KH Zainal Mustafa after performing the hajj in 1937. He forced the learning of Arabic as the main thing to learn in order to more easily understand the science of religion. However, in his Islamic boarding school, materials were also taught about Indonesian history and defense of the motherland.
The presence of this material made KH Zainal Mustafa supervised by intelligence from the Dutch colonizers. Even then, he was also imprisoned by the Netherlands. Of course, this happened because of his criticism of the policies of the colonizers who were considered contrary to religious teachings and inhumane at the time.
He continued to do everything he could to defend his religion and his people. Oppose any policy of the invaders until the Japanese came to Indonesia. His love for the Motherland is undeniable. There have been many of his services as a national hero that have been performed and have had a great impact on the struggle of the Indonesian people.
The struggle of the Singaporean people must really end in defeat. But in other areas, there was also a lot of resistance to finalizing the policies of the colonizers that were not right for the welfare of the people. Starting from the resistance of the people of the Singaps West Java against the Japanese, the struggle of the Indonesian people was indeed so extraordinary to defend their independence.