Double Douwes Dekker

If you studying about Indonesian National History, of course you know the name. Yes, Douwes Dekker. It is one  famous names, that involved in path changes at Indonesian history. Maybe not anyone know that the "Douwes Dekker" is not one person, but two person. It was Edward Douwes Dekker, and Ernest Douwes Dekker. The same written as E. Douwes Dekker, and sometimes mistaken by history teacher at school by same person.


The "first" Douwes Dekker, Edward, is the author of the novel "Max Havelaar" at 1860, which he disguised himself as the name "Multatuli". In the novel, the protagonist, Max Havelaar, tries to battle against a corrupt government system in Java, which was a Dutch colony at the time. Multatuli wrote Max Havelaar in protest against colonial policies, but another goal was to seek rehabilitation for his resignation from governmental service.
And the "second" Douwes Dekker, Ernest, also known as Danoedirdja Setiaboedi, was an Indonesian freedom fighter and politician. He published many articles advocating independence, and "Indies nationalism". In 1913, close associates of Douwes Dekker, including physicians Tjipto Mangunkusumo and Suwardi Surjaningrat (later known as Ki Hajar Dewantara), established the Native Committee in Bandung, which later became the Indische Party. This was considered a breakthrough, because most organisations had never so openly advocated independence. This action make Indonesians relieve about their independence.