Tanah Merah Old Prison Site

Traces of Resistance at the Eastern Tip: History and Significance of the Tanah Merah Old Prison Site

The Tanah Merah Old Prison Site, located in Mandobo District, Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua, is more than just ruins of colonial buildings. This place is a silent monument to one of the darkest yet most heroic chapters in the history of Indonesia's struggle for independence. Known as the "Bastille of Indonesia," this prison was built by the Dutch East Indies government as a place of exile for political activists deemed the most dangerous and difficult to control.

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Origins and Background of Establishment

The establishment of the detention camp in Tanah Merah began with the outbreak of a major rebellion by the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) against the colonial government in November 1926 in Java and early 1927 in West Sumatra. Governor-General de Graeff at the time felt the need to create a geographically and psychologically isolated place of exile to sever the communication chain between movement leaders and their mass bases.

The location on the banks of the Digul River was chosen due to its extreme natural characteristics. Surrounded by dense tropical rainforest and malaria-infested swamps (home to anopheles mosquitoes), Tanah Merah was naturally a prison without iron bars. The strong currents of the Digul River and the presence of indigenous tribes, who were then still considered outsiders by outsiders, made escape virtually impossible. In 1927, the first wave of prisoners arrived, marking the beginning of Tanah Merah's function as a political internment center.

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Architecture and Construction Details of the Prison

Architecturally, the Tanah Merah Old Prison Site reflects the functional colonial building style of the early 20th century, prioritizing security and durability. The main prison building was constructed using thick concrete materials with very limited ventilation systems to prevent escape while still allowing air circulation in Papua's humid weather.

The building structure consisted of several large barracks and isolation cells known as "dark cells." The cell doors were made of thick wrought iron with double locking mechanisms. A distinctive feature of its construction was the use of elevated foundations to avoid flooding from the Digul River's overflow and termite attacks. Around the prison area, there are remnants of guard towers and barbed wire fences that once surrounded the complex. Although most of the wooden structures have rotted with age, the concrete foundations and some main walls still stand strong, demonstrating the quality of materials used at the time.

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Historical Significance and Important Events

Tanah Merah was not just a place of physical punishment, but a place of mental destruction. However, the reality was the opposite. In this isolated place, movement leaders from various ideological backgrounds—from communists, socialists, to religious nationalists—met and exchanged ideas. This exile actually became a "political university" for the prisoners.

One unique event recorded in history is how the prisoners managed their social lives. They established schools, theater groups, and even orchestras to maintain their spirits. Life in this prison was also marked by the struggle against malaria outbreaks, which claimed many prisoner lives. The nameless graves around the site are silent witnesses to the arduous struggle for survival in Boven Digoel.

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Great Figures in Boven Digoel

The name Tanah Merah cannot be separated from the great figures of the nation. Mohammad Hatta (the Proclamator Father and the first Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia) and Sutan Sjahrir (the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Indonesia) are two of the most prominent figures who were exiled here in 1935. Unlike other prisoners, Hatta brought crates of books into exile, showing that intellect cannot be imprisoned.

Besides them, figures like Sayuti Melik (the typist of the proclamation manuscript), Marco Kartodikromo (a radical journalist), and Thomas Nani (a movement leader from Minahasa) also experienced the cold cells of Tanah Merah. The presence of these intellectuals made Boven Digoel a symbol of the educated class's resistance against colonialism.

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Preservation Status and Restoration Efforts

Currently, the Tanah Merah Old Prison Site has been designated as a Cultural Heritage Site protected by the government. Given its remote location from the provincial capital, the main challenges in preservation are accessibility and routine maintenance. The Cultural Preservation Center for the Papua region periodically conducts data collection and site cleaning.

Several parts of the building have undergone limited restoration, especially the roof and wall reinforcement to prevent further collapse. The Boven Digoel Regency government has also begun developing this area as a historical tourism destination (dark tourism). The construction of a small museum around the site aims to display artifacts such as prisoner tableware, leg shackles, and replicas of exile documents so that younger generations can understand the historical value of this place.

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Cultural and Educational Value

For the local community in Boven Digoel, the presence of this old prison has a dual meaning. On one hand, it is a reminder of the dark colonial era, but on the other hand, it is a symbol of pride that their land was an important part of the grand narrative of the formation of the Indonesian nation. The relationship between political prisoners and the local indigenous population at that time also created a certain cultural acculturation, especially in terms of language use and agricultural techniques.

Educationally, the Tanah Merah Old Prison Site teaches about steadfast principles. Although the nation's leaders were exiled to the easternmost tip of the archipelago, which was then still a wilderness, their spirit to liberate Indonesia never faded. This site is tangible proof that independence was not achieved easily, but through suffering in remote places like Boven Digoel.

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Historical Conclusion

To this day, every concrete corner of the Tanah Merah Old Prison Site still holds the aura of the past. The rustling sound of the wind among the large trees on the banks of the Digul River seems to whisper prayers for the fighters who once resided there. As a region that is now part of South Papua Province, Boven Digoel and its old prison stand as historical lighthouses reminding all Indonesian people that national unity is often forged in the most unexpected and suffering-filled places. Preserving this site means preserving the nation's collective memory of the price of freedom.