Dayak Once Had a National Political Party

Logo of the Partai Persatuan Daya (PPD): simple yet impactful. Documentation by: the author.

SINGKAWANG: dayaktoday.com: The Partai Persatuan Daya (PPD) was established on October 30, 1945, evolving from the organization Dayak In Action. J.C. Oevang Oeray served as its leader. 

PPD became a significant milestone in Dayak political history. It symbolized the struggle and identity of the Dayak people on the national stage.

Dayak political party faced dissolution challenges

In a short time, PPD successfully cultivated a strong identity politics. This allowed the Dayak community to unite. As a result, they secured meaningful representation at both the central and regional levels.

This achievement wasn't merely coincidental; it reflected the high political literacy among the Dayak people, who were able to understand and navigate the complexities of Indonesian politics.

However, PPD's fate changed when President Sukarno implemented policies to dissolve regional and ethnic-based parties in 1959. This move aimed to strengthen the central government and control political dynamics seen as threats to national stability. 

The dissolution of PPD wasn’t a premeditated decision; rather, it was a consequence of a broader political strategy to unify Indonesia’s political identity under a single national umbrella. This situation illustrates how identity politics, which had once empowered PPD, ultimately became a challenge as the government sought to emphasize centralization.

The Aftermath of Dissolution and the Resurgence of Dayak Politicians

After the dissolution, many PPD leaders, including Oevang Oeray, opted to continue their political careers by joining parties allowed to operate, such as the Partindo. This decision reflected an effort to remain engaged in national politics, despite the challenging circumstances. However, their political journey was far from easy. 

During this dynamic and often unstable political period, many former PPD leaders had to adapt and confront the changes occurring within Indonesia's political landscape.

In the aftermath of the dissolution, the Dayak community faced deep political marginalization. Without a strong political platform, their identity and voices began to be sidelined from national political discussions. 

This situation persisted until the fall of the New Order regime, when Dayak politicians began to rise again, striving to reclaim their lost positions and influence. This resurgence highlighted the resilience and determination of the Dayak community to re-engage in politics and bring their voices back into the larger arena.

Historically, PPD serves as a testament to the fact that the Dayak community has a rich tradition of political literacy. The successes of PPD in the past should inspire both current and future generations to continue developing their political potential. 

Today’s political actors, intellectuals, and Dayak leaders must learn from the key successes of PPD and understand how they managed to elevate the image and presence of the Dayak community on the national stage.

Dayak identity and political representation strengthened

Despite their limited population, the Dayak people successfully established a significant political party, demonstrating their commitment to political development and the recognition of their ethnic identity in the national discourse. 

The narrative surrounding PPD and its political journey underscores the ongoing need to enhance political literacy and build strong networks and platforms to ensure the voices and rights of the Dayak community are sustained within the broader context of Indonesian politics.

By understanding the history and political dynamics involving PPD, we can draw valuable lessons. These lessons highlight the importance of courage and collaboration. 

Additionally, they emphasize the strengthening of ethnic identity. Achieving influence and representation at the national level remains a challenge. This is a task that the new generation must undertake to ensure that voices are heard.of the Dayak community remain heard and recognized in the ongoing political journey of Indonesia.

Palaunsoeka, one of the prominent Dayak figures from Kapuas Hulu, was educated by Capuchin priests in Nyarumkop. Singkawang also played a significant role, especially when he teamed up with Oevang Oeray to establish the Dayak Party. However, later on, the two had differences in opinion and went their separate political ways, much like the partnership of Sukarno and Hatta. Such was the fate of the Dayak Party in history.

Researcher and author: Rangkaya Bada.