Usman Haji Muhammad Ali
Usman bin Haji Muhammad Ali | |
|---|---|
| Born | 18 March 1943 |
| Died | 17 October 1968 (aged 25) Singapore |
| Other names | Janatin |
| Criminal charge | 3 counts murder |
| Criminal penalty | execution by hanging |
| Criminal status | Executed |
| Awards | National Hero of Indonesia |
Second Sergeant Usman bin Haji Muhammad Ali (18 March 1943 – 17 October 1968), better known as Janatin and Usman Janatin, was an Indonesian marine and convicted murderer.
Biography
Janatin was born in Jatisobo, Banyumas, on 18 March 1943.[1][2] He graduated from middle school in 1962.[1]
On 1 June 1962, he entered the Indonesian Marine Corps,[1] and was appointed as one of three volunteers to serve in the military operation Komando Siaga (later renamed Komando Mandala Siaga), led by Air Force Vice Admiral Omar Dhani, during the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation.[2][3] Janatin was later stationed at Sambu Island, Riau.
Bombing of MacDonald House
On 8 March 1965, Janatin, Harun Thohir, and Gani bin Arup were assigned to conduct sabotage in Singapore: equipped with a rubber boat and 12.5 kilograms (28 lb) of explosives, they were told to bomb an important building of their own choice. On 10 March 1965, they targeted a civilian building, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank building (now the MacDonald House), killing three and wounding at least thirty-three, all civilians.
Capture and Conviction
Janatin and Thahir subsequently escaped to a beach, while Gani disappeared and presumed returned to Indonesia. After seizing a motorboat, which broke down at sea, they were arrested by Singapore patrol squads on 13 March 1965.
Janatin and Thahir were convicted of murder, as they had been wearing civilian clothes at the time and had targeted a civilian building, and were sentenced to death by a Singapore court.[4] The two were sentenced to hang in Changi Prison, Singapore, on 17 October 1968. Janatin's remains were taken back to Indonesia and buried in Kalibata Heroes Cemetery, Jakarta.[5]
National Heroes
They were awarded status of Indonesian national heroes on 17 October 1968 (the same day they were hanged) and were posthumously promoted to one rank higher, prior to their last operation.[6][7]
KRI Usman-Harun 359
In 2014, one of the ships of the Bung Tomo-class corvette of the Indonesian Navy was named after him and Thahir, as the KRI Usman-Harun. The name caused controversy between Indonesia and Singapore, and the Singaporean government banned the ship from docking in the country.[8]
References
- ^ a b c Sudarmanto 2007, p. 162
- ^ a b Komandoko 2006, p. 480
- ^ Ajisaka 2008, p. 215
- ^ Ajisaka 2008, p. 216
- ^ Sudarmanto 2007, p. 164
- ^ https://www.beritabawean.com/2017/08/4-fakta-harun-tahir-pahlawan-asal.html
- ^ https://jatim.sindonews.com/berita/2107/1/liontin-garuda-misteri-peninggalan-harun-yang-tak-terungkap
- ^ "Singapore: Naming Indonesian warship after marines would reopen old wounds". 7 February 2014.
Bibliography
- Komandoko, Gamal (2006). Kisah Seratus Duapuluh Empat Pahlawan dan Pejuang Nusantara (in Indonesian). Sleman: Pustaka Widyatama. ISBN 9789796610907.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Ajisaka, Arya (2008). Mengenal Pahlawan Indonesia (in Indonesian) (Revised ed.). Jakarta: Kawan Pustaka. ISBN 9789797572785.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Sudarmanto, J. B. (2007). Jejak-Jejak Pahlawan: Perekat Kesatuan Bangsa Indonesia (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Grasindo. ISBN 9789797597160.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help)
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
