BANDUNG, INDONESIASENTINEL.COM — What happens when a freedom fighter, who once sacrificed himself to expel colonialists, becomes a notorious robber and fugitive? This is not a work of fiction, but a true story involving an ex-veteran the history of Kusni Kasdut.
Freedom Fighter Turned Outlaw
Initially a hero and independence fighter, Kusni Kasdut transitioned into one of Indonesia’s most infamous criminals.
Independence Fighter
After Indonesia’s independence, Kusni Kasdut became a dedicated warrior, fighting the Dutch in East Java as part of Brigade Teratai—a group consisting of TNI soldiers, robbers, and various other criminal factions.
During his time fighting, Kasdut was tasked with securing funds, often stealing gold and diamonds from wealthy individuals to support the war effort. He even stole cannons from the Dutch to arm the Brigade Teratai.
Throughout this period, Kasdut frequently faced capture by the Dutch, enduring torture and imprisonment as a daily routine. However, his life took a drastic turn when the war ended.
Post-War Struggles
With the return of peace, Kasdut found himself unemployed. Unlike many other fighters, he couldn’t join the military. There are two versions of why he failed to enlist in the TNI.
First, according to the research in Para Jagoan (2011), Kasdut felt the government had neglected veterans like him. This perceived slight left him embittered and he refused to join the military.
The second version is that he failed the administrative and health requirements. Kasdut had a bullet wound on his leg and he was not officially part of the TNI during his fight, operating independently instead.
Regardless of the reason, Kasdut’s inability to join the TNI left him feeling deeply disappointed and heartbroken. Compounding his frustration, he was also financially destitute. Without any marketable skills apart from martial arts, he couldn’t secure employment.
At this juncture, a friend invited him to join the criminal world. He agreed, leading to his first criminal act: extortion. Posing as a kidnapper, he extorted a victim’s family, earning 600,000 Rupiah. The success of this operation hooked him into a life of crime as a robber.
The Gold and Diamond Robber
Having often stolen gold and diamonds during the war, Kasdut became a specialist in robbing such items. His first major robbery occurred on August 11, 1953.
On that day, Kasdut robbed the home of a wealthy Jakarta resident named Ali Badjened. He successfully stole Ali’s valuables and murdered him. News of the robbery and murder spread rapidly, creating a national sensation and making Kasdut a prime target for the police. However, he proved to be as slippery as an eel, evading capture repeatedly.
Despite his criminal activities, Kasdut didn’t hoard all his loot. He often distributed his stolen goods to the poor out of a sense of pity.
Kasdut’s most sensational heist took place on May 31, 1961, when he robbed the National Museum of Jakarta. Disguised as an armed policeman, he tricked the guards and escaped with 11 artifacts and gold bars from the museum’s collection, totaling 2.5 billion Rupiah—a staggering amount for the time. However, this high-profile robbery proved to be his undoing.
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Downfall and Execution
Kasdut’s downfall began when he tried to sell the stolen artifacts and gold. Police officers, posing as buyers, arrested him during the transaction.
During the arrest, Kasdut attempted to escape but was eventually subdued by the authorities. He was sentenced to death after a trial.
While awaiting execution, Kasdut was moved from prison to prison. He once escaped but was quickly recaptured. During this period, he repented and converted to Catholicism, hoping for redemption.
Kasdut appealed for clemency from President Soeharto, holding onto the hope of a pardon. However, his request was denied, and the death sentence was upheld.
Kasdut’s actions sparked mixed reactions. Some experts highlighted his contributions to the independence struggle, while others argued that his criminal deeds deserved the death penalty, regardless of his past heroics.
In the end, history records that Kusni Kasdut was executed on February 16, 1980.
(Ray)
