Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Indonesia with its long history has made it experience many changes, not only in terms of government, politics and people, but also changes geographically.
One of these geographical changes includes several countries that were once part of Indonesia before finally becoming their own country. What country is that? Here is an explanation.
1. Timor Leste
In 1975, President Soeharto decided to attack East Timor due to the political crisis and pressure from the Australian government. Suharto also included Timor Leste as the 27th province.
But the merger of the territory of Timor Leste did not get support from the world. In 1999, President BJ Habibie conducted a referendum which was won by pro-independence groups, resulting in Timor Leste breaking away from Indonesia and changing its name to Timor Leste after becoming an independent country.
2. Singapore
Singapore in the past was often called Temasek, Tumasik, or the City of the Sea (Sea Town). Quoted from the Journal of Religious Literature in an article entitled Tumasik: Early History of Islam in Singapore (1200-1511 AD), Singapore’s position was considered strategic as a trading center.
Some of the kingdoms that had ruled it were Sriwijaya until the end of the 13th century AD, Majapahit until the 14th century AD, Ayutthaya-Thailand in the 15th century AD and the Malacca Sultanate until the Portuguese occupation of 1511 AD.
3. Filipina
The Philippines was once part of Indonesia during the Majapahit Empire. A number of historians believe that the conquest of the Philippines occurred during the reign of King Hayam Wuruk.
At that time the king and his prime minister Gadjah Mada wanted to make Majapahit a big empire. Majapahit’s territory covered the Archipelago, the Malay Peninsula, to the Philippines.
4. Malaysia
A number of historians say that Malaysia was ruled by Sriwijaya, which was the largest maritime empire in Indonesian history. The conquest of Malaysia took place during the reign of King Balaputradewa.
With a vast territory, Sriwijaya became a very influential center of trade and the spread of religion in the world. It is not surprising that Sriwijaya was often called the Archipelago in the past.
5. Cambodia
Quoted from CNN Indonesia, Sriwijaya returned to play a role during the conquest of Cambodia. Records of Sriwijaya’s reign in Cambodia were obtained from a priest named I Tzing who had stopped in the kingdom.
The vast and strategic territory made it easier for Sriwijaya to sell natural products and other economic resources, such as camphor, aloes wood, cloves, sandalwood, nutmeg and cardamom.
6. Brunei Darussalam
Quoted from page Indonesia.go.id, the territory of Brunei Darussalam was once controlled by the Sriwijaya kingdom. Some of the several settlements in the Gulf of Brunei are referred to as Vijayanegara.
Brunei is also listed in the Negarakertagama book written by the Majapahit kingdom in 1365. The area called Buruneng was controlled by Majapahit after Patih Gadjah Mada had the ambition to carry out the Palapa Oath.
(tib)
