Popular Resistance to Japan in West Java Singapore
The struggle of the people of Singaparna in West Java against the Japanese in the midst of colonialism is certainly the most difficult time for the Indonesian nation, although the struggle never stops. This struggle is definitely one of the biggest battles in Indonesia to try to repel the invaders.
During the colonial period, of course, various things were done by the colonizers that made the Indonesian people miserable and tormenting. Therefore, various efforts have been made to buy the welfare and independence of society, especially in the West Java region. This is certainly done with the support of the various parties within it.
Later there was an important figure who appeared in the case of resistance of the people of western Java Singaparna against the Japanese. Under his leadership, more and more people joined forces to expend and suppress the various crude attitudes of the invaders, in this case, the Japanese of that time.
Rejection of movements that spark wars
When Japan began to control the territory of Indonesia, it not only established its power, but also its various cultures began to influence the people. Surely you have heard or read it. One of the cultures that Japan is also trying to instill is to respect its flag.
Not only that, but Japan also tried to force the Indonesian people to sing their national anthems. Including a greeting facing the sun in honor of the Japanese emperor or called seikerei. Basically, in the religion that the Japanese people believe in, bending over to face the sun is a form of respecting the sun god.
This was opposed and rejected by the Indonesian people, and Singaparna became one of the reasons for the resistance of the West Java people against the Japanese at that time. It is certain that the existence of Seikerei is also opposed by many current scholars, because it is similar to the prayer movement. This further blurs the warm atmosphere at the time, causing even greater problems between Japan and Indonesia.
There have been many great clerics who opposed the existence of this movement and called on their troops to fight the opposing army. Of course, this was done to defend independence, and the religious faith of the Japanese people did not want to do what was. But because it is so emphasized, the occupying army will see anyone who does not want to do so as an opponent and deserve to be punished.
The Resistance of the People of Singapore to Japanese Policy
One of the clerics who rejected the seikerei movement at that time was KH Zainal Mustafa. He and all the disciples of Pesantren Sukamanah openly refused to do so, triggering resistance of the people of Singaparna West Java against the Japanese. It also involves saying that for Muslims, doing seikerei is an act of escape and should be avoided.
Of course, KH Zainal Mustafa did not remain silent as he watched the Japanese torture anyone who refused the move. He began to strategize to increase his power so that he could properly rebel against the Japanese forces. Troops from the students in the pesantre were deployed to fight the enemy.
At first, before there was resistance against the Japanese among the people of Singaporea West Java, the invaders sent their people to hold talks with KH Zainal Mustafa. But in the end it turned out that the Japanese ambassador was really killed and angered the invaders, so they decided to use a more difficult method.
In the end, the resistance of the people of Singaparna West Java to the Japanese was no longer inevitable. Indeed, although the number of soldiers has certainly been lost too much, the opposing army may dominate the resistance. There were a large number of soldiers from Pesantren who were detained by the Japanese and killed because they were in opposition and did not obey their orders.
The People of Singapore, Their Anti-Colonial Policies
The people themselves in the Singaparna region are actually people who tend to be religious. Thus the various policies of the colonialists are indeed very opposed, especially to the various atrocities committed. This is very inconsistent with the religious understanding adopted by most Singaporean people, namely Islam.
One of the obstacles to the resistance of the people of Singaparna West Java against the Japanese was the large number of people who died due to forced labor at that time. Likewise, all Japanese behavior seems inhumane. They have the heart to do everything possible to punish anyone who is unwilling to obey what is commanded and is considered a rebel.
Moreover, more and more policies are being given by the Japanese side, and there is no reason to reject them. Politics is considered contrary to religious teachings and is inherently coercive. So this causes people to live miserable lives and not have the freedom to do so according to the teachings of their religion.
The resistance struggle of the people of West Java Singaparna against the Japanese took place in Sukamanah Village for about an hour. Troops led by KH Zainal Mustafa were carrying swords and pointing bamboo at weapons. In addition to students, there are also combinations, there are also troops from Kempetai, Garut and Tasikmalaya. They all united to resist arbitrary Japanese colonialism, even if they had to lose in the end.
KH Getting to Know Zainal Mustafa’s Figure
The person known as KH Zainal Mustafa, or Umri or Hudeemi in his childhood, was actually an ordinary person. He studied at the Gunung Pari Islamic Boarding School and relocated as an itinerant student. This is done in order to obtain deeper religious knowledge from various teachers and scholars, of course.
After studying at various Islamic boarding schools in West Java, and because of his intelligence, Umri was appointed as Kyai Muttaqien’s assistant. Umri has noble aspirations to be able to establish and manage his own pesantren. Eventually, this dream came true in the Baguer Village area, Singaparna. Of course, this is the story before the resistance of the people of West Java Singaparna against the Japanese.
Umri later changed his name to KH Zainal Mustafa after making the hajj in 1937. In order to understand religious sciences more easily, it has become necessary to learn Arabic as what needs to be learned. However, in the Islamic boarding school, material was also taught about the history of Indonesia and the defense of the motherland.
The presence of this material inspected KH Zainal Mustafa with the intelligence of the Dutch colonizers. Even then he was imprisoned by the Netherlands. Of course, this was due to the fact that he criticized the policies of the colonizers, which at that time were considered contrary to religious teachings and inhumane.
He continued to do everything in his power to defend his religion and his people. Oppose every policy, from the invaders until the Japanese arrive in Indonesia. His love for the motherland is indisputable. He has performed many services as a national hero and has had a great impact on the struggle of the Indonesian people.
The struggle of the people of Singaporea must indeed end in defeat. But in other regions, there was too much resistance to complete the policies of the colonizers that were not right for the welfare of the people. Starting from the resistance of the people of Singaparna West Java against the Japanese, the struggle of the Indonesian people was truly extraordinary to defend their independence.