Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – There are several countries that were once part of Indonesia, even though they are now separated. These countries separated from Indonesia for their own reasons.
As is well known, Indonesia is the largest archipelagic country in the world. Where currently it consists of five main islands and around 18,110 small islands of which 6,000 are uninhabited.
Seeing this fact, it’s no wonder that in the past there were several countries that were once part of Indonesia, before finally separating to become their own country for various reasons.
The following are countries that were once part of Indonesia as compiled by CNBC Indonesia:
1. Timor Leste (East Timor)
Indonesia has a long history with East Timor which is now Timor Leste. East Timor was colonized by Portugal in the 16th century, and was known as Portuguese Timor until November 28, 1975. Nine days later, Indonesia invaded and declared East Timor its 27th province the following year.
Once part of Indonesia, the people of East Timor then voiced their desire to separate. In 1999, President BJ Habibie conducted a referendum which was won by pro-independence groups, so that East Timor broke away from Indonesia and then changed its name to Timor Leste after becoming an independent country.
2. Philippines
The Philippines was once part of Indonesia during the Majapahit Kingdom. A number of historians believe that the conquest of the Philippines occurred during the reign of King Hayam Wuruk.
At that time the king and his prime minister Gadjah Mada wanted to make Majapahit a big empire. Majapahit’s territory covered the Archipelago, the Malay Peninsula, to the Philippines.
3. Singapore
Singapore in the past was often called Temasek, Tumasik, or the City of the Sea (Sea Town). Quoted from the Journal of Religious Literature in an article entitled Tumasik: Early History of Islam in Singapore (1200-1511 AD), Singapore’s position was considered strategic as a trading center.
Some of the kingdoms that had ruled it were Sriwijaya until the end of the 13th century AD, Majapahit until the 14th century AD, Ayutthaya-Thailand in the 15th century AD and the Malacca Sultanate until the Portuguese occupation in 1511 AD.
4. Malaysian
A number of historians also state that Malaysia was once controlled by Sriwijaya, which was the largest maritime empire in Indonesian history. The conquest of Malaysia took place during the reign of King Balaputradewa.
With a vast territory, Sriwijaya became a very influential center of trade and the spread of religion in the world. It is not surprising that Sriwijaya was often called the Archipelago in the past.
5. Cambodia
Sriwjaya also played a role during the conquest of Cambodia. Records of Sriwjaya’s reign in Cambodia were obtained from a priest named I Tzing who had visited the kingdom.
The vast and strategic territory made it easier for Sriwijaya to sell natural products and other economic resources, such as camphor, aloes wood, cloves, sandalwood, nutmeg and cardamom.
6. Brunei Darussalam
The territory of Brunei Darussalam was once controlled by the Sriwijaya kingdom. Several settlements in Brunei Bay are referred to as Vijayanegara, as reported on the page Indonesia.go.id.
Brunei is also listed in the Negarakertagama book written by the Majapahit kingdom in 1365. The area called Buruneng was controlled by Majapahit after Patih Gajah Mada had the ambition to carry out the Palapa Oath.
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