MAS MARCO KARTODIKROMO in SALATIGA

Mas Marco Kartodikromo, one of the influential figure who lost in the naration of Indonesian History.

Not surprisingly that many people do not know about the track record of this figure is, even for the students from historical science, it is uncommon name. Who is he? Where he come from? What he had done for this nation? There is no clue in a common references.  It is because slight literature which inform about Marco, so that through this article I try to explicate about him.

Mas Marco with his wife

source: KITLV

Actually, Marco is one of the journalist who illuminated the dark age of Indonesian history when Collonialism squeezing natural and human resources of this country in early 20 century through his valiant words of writing. He was also the first person who form local Journalist league in dutch east indie called IJB (Indische Journalisten Bond). He was born in Cepu-part of Blora resident, Central Java, in 1890 and graduated from state school in Bojonegoro and private school in Purworejo, then he worked in forestry service as a scribe in about 1905. Several years later, Marco moved to Semarang to work in the same desk in NIS (Nederlandsch-Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij)-one of the dutch company that managed rail transport in Java, Dutch East Indies. At the same time, he also learned dutch language whith the dutchman as his private teacher in Semarang.

In 1911, Bogor-west Java was the next destination of his work place. He worked in local newspaper named “Medan Prijaji” which was run by Tirto Adhi Soerjo- the first indonesian figure who used newspaper as a tool to support Indonesian movement to against dutch government and dutch medias. It was about 5 years earlier before Soekarno stayed in Gang Peneleh, Surabaya to learn politics with H.O.S. Tjokroaminoto when Marco had this job.  Under Tirto’s guidance, he learned much about journalism and politic. It was his preliminary to be one of the most dangerous journalist and activist in that time which produce many articles that can evoke Indonesian’s spirit to unite and criticize unfair policies from dutch government.

Tirto Adhi Soerjo the leader (Mingke) of Medan Prijaji

source: google

In this article, however, I am not explain the whole life of Marco. I will only address one part of his life when he stayed in the foothill of Merbabu mountain, Salatiga, Central Java. This lovely city which provide tranquil place and exquisite city background being his home for a temporary moment. His presence in Salatiga was not to propagate local people but he wanted to refresh their mind during his withdrawal from political movement which made him stress and unsatisfied. Its happened because there was a bitter dispute in internal Central Sarekat Islam (Marco’s organitation which was led by H.O.S Tjokroaminoto) between left and right wings.  

He moved to Salatiga in September 1921, then he lived in pungkursari street in which his home probably behind the “soto parmoso” nowadays. However, just a month staying in this city, he had to move to weltevreden’s (Bogor) prison because his word in several articles was deemed as a propaganda for the local people that threat the position of dutch government. Two years later he came back to Salatiga and the situation of political movement was change significantly. Left wing of Sarekat Islam under Semaoen had an important role to gather the masses to resist colonialism. Relating to this situation, Mas Marco had a desire to be active again in the local movement. Then he chose to join with the left wing of Sarekat Islam in Salatiga. Februari 1924 was the first time Marco reappear from  his withdrawal when he join in local meeting of Sarekat Islam in Salatiga.

To realize his movement, he published a journal regularly named “HIDOEP” which was launched for the first time in 24 Juni 1924. This journal comprise of English lesson, and several story series about socialism and communism. To manage this journal Marco gained a support from other activists that are H. Djabir Moeda (Treasurer of red SI Yogyakarta), Rangsang (Editor from Senopati-weekly javanese magazine in Surakarta). The main part of this journal was the story about “Babad Tanah Djawi” which was rewrited by Mas Marco Kartodikromo. He tried to write it through local perspective. Beside to give awarness to the local people about the adverse impact of collonialism and to propade local people, seeling this journal also as an attempt to support local movement that was lead by Marco.

Relating to this journal, we can see that Marco could think far beyond his era. Marco chose English lesson in his journal rather than dutch lesson which actually had been a popular languange used by the inhabitants of dutch east indie in that era. Furthermore, he also inisiated to open library  in Salatiga for the local inhabitants (The author think that it was the first library in Salatiga) that was open everyday from 9 am- 1 pm, except Friday and Sunday. This library had 354 books collection that could be read by visitors. Marco believed that the culture of literacy played an essential role to improve the quality of society as a whole, therefore providing library for the people was such a viable measure for it.

There is no literature which explain when the last time Marco stayed in Salatiga because in early 1925 he had been active to lead Sarekat Rakyat in Surakarta, eventough journal HIDOEP still existed until the last edition in 1 April 1925.

my book

Those might be the slight explanation about Mas Marco Kartodikromo. If you want to know the complete story of Mas Marco and the other organisations in Salatiga, you can read from my book “Diskriminasi Rasial di Masa Kolonial : Salatiga 1917-1942” that is available to be bought in online shop.

Pare-Kediri, 30 December 2017

Abel Jatayu Prakosa