Wolter Monginsidi, A Legend Hero

Wolter Monginsidi

Wolter Monginsidi, the most inspirational human-being for me. So, for you who didn't know who he is, I will introduce you to him. Wolter Monginsidi is one of the Indonesian national hero called Bote. He was born in Malalayang, Manado where he was forged to become a young boy with high courage and never surrendered. Precisely on 14 February 1925 and died in Makassar, 5 September 1949. He was one of the Indonesian national heroes who died at a young age. And, he is the son of Petrus Mongisidi and Lina Suawa. 

Wolter Monginsidi is known as smart person in his area. He started his education in 1931 in elementary school (Dutch: Hollands Inlandsche School (HIS)), which was followed by middle school (Dutch: Meer Uitgebreid Lager Onderwijs (MULO)) at Frater Don Bosco in Manado. Mongisidi was then educated as a Japanese language teacher at a school in Tomohon. After his studies, he taught Japanese in Liwutung, in the Minahasa region, and in Luwuk, Central Sulawesi, before making his way to Makassar, South Sulawesi.

Even though he was still young at that time, his contribution to force the colonial to get out from Indonesia was incredible. He started to rebel against the colonial since Dutch came back to Indonesia to seize Indonesian independence.

At his young age, Monginsidi's courage has been tested. The proof is he participated in wars against NICA who armed with more sophisticated weapons in several times. Because of the skill that he has, Wolter Monginsidi trusted to be one of the leaders of LAPRIS (Laskar Pemberontak Rakyat Indonesia Sulawesi). With the control that he has, Monginsidi led his army to push the colonials out of Makassar and his surroundings. 

Some of the rebellion that Monginsidi did made the colonial recognize the figure of Wolter Monginsidi. Because of that, Dutch usually hold big raids to catch the people behind all the rebellions that made Dutch overwhelmed, Wolter Monginsidi. Too bad, on February 27, 1947, he gets caught.

On October 27, 1947, Monginsidi and his friends succeed in smuggled 2 grenades into bread. Grenades were blown up, the entire prison complex was chaotic. Through the kitchen chimney, Monginsidi and three colleagues managed to escape.

A year later, Monginsidi was surrounded in an alley. He didn't think that his position was known by the colonials. Apparently, someone betrays. Later, it was found that those who stabbed in the back were Monginsidi's friends who had previously get caught together, namely Abdullah Hadade, HM Yoseph, and Daeng Matari.

The Dutch caught him again and this time sentenced him to death. Mongisidi was executed by firing squad on September 5, 1949. His body was moved to the Makassar heroes cemetery on November 10, 1950.

After knowing his story, we should pray for him. Right now, we all knew how big his struggle to make the colonial get out from Indonesia. He had risked his life for us. So, this is our time to reciprocated for what he has done. Not just to Wolter Monginsidi, but for all heroes that helping Indonesia to get its independence. Merdeka!

Question :

1. What is Wolter Monginsidi's nickname?

2. Who had to betray Wolter Monginsidi?

3. Where Wolter Monginsidi start his education?

4. Why Wolter Monginsidi trusted to be one of the leaders of LAPRIS?

5. When did Monginsidi's body move to the Makassar heroes cemetery?