I Gusti Ngurah Rai

I Gusti Ngurah Rai (30 January 1917 – 20 November 1946) was an Indonesian military officer and participant in the Indonesian National Revolution. He was the founder and first commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces unit in the Lesser Sunda Islands, and the direct leader of armed anti-Dutch resistance in Bali. He was killed in November 1946 in a battle with Dutch troops near the village of Marga in central Bali.

A National Hero of Indonesia, he was posthumously awarded one of the country's highest military honours, the Star of Mahaputera, and promoted to the rank of brigadier general, having died with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He is one of the most revered figures in Bali's modern history. I Gusti Ngurah Rai's name has been given to Denpasar's international airport, the island's largest university and largest stadium, a ship of the Indonesian Navy, streets in many Balinese settlements, and streets in several cities in other parts of Indonesia.

Early life and education

Ngurah Rai was born on 30 January 1917 in the village of Carangsari in Petang district, Badung Regency, southern Bali, into an affluent family of noble origin. He was the second of three sons of I Gusti Ngurah Palung and his wife Ni Gusti Ayu Kompyang. At the time of Rai's birth, his father held the post of head of the Petang district administration. In the same year, he was transferred for accelerated retraining to an artillery school at Corps Opleiding Voor Reserve Officieren (CORO) in Malang, a city already familiar to him from his earlier schooling. Rai,

We, Lieutenant Colonel ter Meulen and I (you certainly remember us), are well aware of the reasons that compelled you to lead a unit of the People's Security Army. We would very much like to speak with you. Please try to make contact with Captain Cassa near the village of Plaga; later, we could speak there. After our talks, you may make any decision at your own discretion.

J. B. T. Konig,

Captain of the land forces Rai's reply, which soon reached the Dutch, was addressed solely to ter Meulen. The partisan commander's message entered the annals of Indonesian history under the name "Sacred Letter" and is widely popularised as an expression of courage and patriotism.

Your letter has been safely received by us. Briefly, we give the following reply:

The question of security in Bali is our affair. Since the landing of your troops, the island has become insecure. The proof of this is already clear and can no longer be denied. Look, the suffering of the people is worsening. The safety of the people is threatened. In addition, economic disorder is tightening around the people's neck like a noose.

Security is threatened because you have violated the will of the people, who have already very clearly proclaimed their independence.

The question of negotiations we leave to the competence of our leaders in Java. Bali is not the place for diplomatic negotiations. And I do not compromise. In the name of the people, I stand for the departure of the Dutch from the island of Bali. Otherwise, we are able and promise to continue fighting until our aims are achieved.

As long as you remain in Bali, the island of Bali will remain a vessel of bloody battles between us and your side. That is all. Please take note.

Once free, forever free.

On behalf of the Bali Struggle Council

Leader:

I Gusti Ngurah Rai The event was given the character of a major public and political ceremony, for which an organising committee composed of representatives of the central and local authorities had been formed in advance. Members of the Indonesian government and senior military leadership attended the cremation ceremony. Part of Rai's ashes was scattered into the sea near Sanur, while another part was buried in the memorial complex near the village of Marga.