South Moluccas

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The South Moluccas, or Republik Maluku Selatan (RMS), was a self-proclaimed republic in the Maluku Islands, founded April 25, 1950. Formerly part of the Dutch East Indies, a colony of the Netherlands, the state declared independence from the United States of Indonesia as a response to the intent of the Javanese general Sukarno to consolidate the proposed United States of Indonesia under the control of a unitary government. The Moluccans expected that the unitary state would be dominated by the Javanese, and particularly the Javanese leader Sukarno.

Related Topics:
Republic - Maluku Islands - April 25 - 1950 - Dutch East Indies - Netherlands - Indonesia - Javanese - Sukarno

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The territory was reintegrated into Indonesia in November 1950. An occupation by Indonesian troops lasting several years resulted in the flight of the RMS government from the islands, and the formation of a government in exile in the Netherlands. The president in exile was Prof. Manusama. The government-in-exile continues to exist.

Related Topics:
November - 1950 - Government in exile - Netherlands

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The South Moluccas consists of about 150 islands in the Banda Sea. The main islands are Ceram, Ambon and Buru. The people of the South Moluccas are mainly Melanesians, numbering about one million. The South Moluccan people are predominantly Christian, unlike the rest of Indonesia which is overwhelmingly Muslim.

Related Topics:
Banda Sea - Ceram - Ambon - Buru - Melanesia - Christian - Muslim

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