Indonesian Navy, Infiltration The Dutch Blockade In The Malacca Strait
Since the Dutch imposed a blockade on all Indonesian waters in 1946, units of the Indonesian Navy (ALRI) have always tried to break through the blockade.
The main target is the Malacca Strait, which is relatively easier to penetrate by speedboats.
The area of operation to break the blockade extended to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Myanmar (formerly Burma).
With the help of representatives of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia's "Indonesia Office" in Singapore, in 1947, representatives of the Indonesian Navy succeeded in purchasing around 17 ships from the Naval Disposal Board of the British Royal Navy (Royal Navy).
These ships became known as the "Smuggling Fleet". (Indonesian Navy Book: 60 Years of Service, 2005)
The Indonesian Navy ships that were once part of the "Smuggling Fleet" and their commanders included The Outlaw, commanded by Major John Lie; Hok Bie, commanded by Captain Abdullah; Gull, commanded by Captain Chris Tampenawas; and Malioboro, commanded by Captain OP Koesno.
The Malacca Strait blockade resulted in supplies of means of struggle such as weapons and ammunition, spare parts, and medicines.
Everything was exchanged for agricultural products, especially rubber and sugar.
John Lie, a sailor of Chinese descent born in Manado on March 9, 1911, before joining the Navy, was a former crew member of the KPM (Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij/Dutch East Indies Colonial Commercial Shipping Airline) MV Tosari merchant ship.
When the Second World War broke out, the ship, loaded with rubber and laden with refugees, was rushed to the Allied Base in Khoramshar, Iran, on the orders of the Allies.
While in Iran, John Lie received basic military training in sea warfare maneuvers, the identification of types of warships, and handling sea mine hazards.
While serving for the Allies, John Lie and his Indonesian colleagues heard the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence from All Indian Radio, Jawaharlal Nehru's pro-Indian radio.
When the war was over, John Lie and the sailors from Indonesia returned to Indonesia.
Upon arriving in Indonesia, John Lie decided to leave his career at KPM and join ALRI.
John Lie's greatest success, which at the same time raised his prestige, was his success in clearing sea mines in the waters around Cilacap Port.
For this success, John Lie received the rank of Major ALRI.
The next tough task that John Lie had to carry out was guiding the Singapore merchant ship Empire Tenby out of Cilacap Harbor towards his country.
Even though it was shadowed by Dutch Navy patrol planes and encountered a number of obstacles during its voyage, the Empire Tenby finally arrived in Singapore safely in August 1947.
John Lie next handed over the ship's cargo, which was 800 tons of sugar, to Dr. Saroso and Mr. Oetojo Ramelan from the Indonesian Representative.
John Lie temporarily resided in Singapore and was seconded to KPOLN because Indonesia's situation was increasingly precarious.
What's more, at that time, the Netherlands had just launched its first military aggression on July 21, 1947.
Proceeds from the sale of sugar were then used by the Indonesian Representative in Singapore to purchase 17 speedboats, which would be scrapped by the British Navy's Naval Disposal Board in Singapore.
These ships will be used as blockade breakers and weapons suppliers for the interests of the struggle through North Sumatra and Aceh.
John Lie was honored by being entrusted with being the captain of one of the fast boats, which was originally named ML 833, then changed to PPB 31 LB.
According to John Lie, this blockade-breaker ship was called The Outlaw.
After receiving this tough command.
John Lie then chose his own crew members, namely Salim (Master's mate), Thaib Ardy (attack), Roezi Damaz (helmsman), Soemaredja (rudder), Sjahroel Etek (crew concurrent sailor), Didi Soenardi, Noer M, Agoes Rakab (classman concurrently roomboy), Hamid Trijono (KKM), Hoesein (machinist I), A. Manan (machinist II), Sirad and Soepardjo (oiler), then Amat (coole), Hoemala Pohan, Sitompoel, Darmawan, Gazali Ibrahim, Gaabin, and Djatma
After everything was ready, The Outlaw began carrying out the mission of breaking the blockade in the Malacca Strait.