Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten issues a formal apology for the “heartless” mistreatment of thousands of Moluccan soldiers who served in the Dutch colonial army during Indonesia’s struggle for independence. The apology addresses harm suffered after Indonesia’s independence, when around 12,500 men from the Moluccan islands and their families arrived in the Netherlands in 1951. Multiple reports say many of the soldiers did not choose to leave and believed the move was meant to be temporary once independence was achieved.
Jetten’s statement acknowledges the grief and pain experienced by Moluccan families and frames the apology as recognition of a historical injustice. Coverage also links the remarks to a broader effort in the Netherlands to reassess its colonial past and the treatment of those who fought for Dutch forces. Separately, a crowdfunded monument connected to the Moluccan community is described as being unveiled in Rotterdam, reflecting ongoing public remembrance of the mistreatment. The reporting presents the apology as an official acknowledgement of past wrongdoing and a response to long-standing calls from affected families.
