Monument of Mandala

MOMUNEN of Mandala is the tower building in the center of Makassar City. There are dioramas and relief of West Irian (Papua) redemption. Visitors can also see the expanse of Makassar from the height.


The location of Objects 
The monument is located at General Sudirman Street, located only 200 meters south of the central city of Makassar (Karebosi Field). 

Overview 
Monument of Mandala tower is protuberant with height of 75 meters from the land surface. Built started in 1994 and completed in 1996. The building has four floors. 

In first floor, there are dioramas, relief, and replica of clothings and the struggle of the people of South Sulawesi in 17th century. In second floor there are also dioramas and relief about struggle of the West Irian exemption. 

Meanwhile, in third floors there are a replica of commander Mandala troops working room, completed with a map of Western Irian, pictures of team departure preparation, the department signs, and clothing used during the operation. 

And the highest floor is a space in which visitors can view extend of Makassar City. This space is in the end of the tower with about 73-75 meters height from the surface of land. 

Access 
Visitors can reach the monument with public transport, taxis, or hotel transport facilities. From the city center, Monument of Mandala can be achieved by walk or take pedicab or tricycle called becak. 

Rates 
To enter and enjoy the scenery from a height, the visitors are subjectd of Rp 10,000 tariff per person. Usually elevator will be operated if the visitors came in a group.

HISTORY OF TRIKORA OPERATION

Mandala was the name of the troops led by Major General Soeharto in a operation called Trikora Operation. This was a confrontation against the Dutch in Papua. The Government of Indonesia call Operation of West Irian Liberation. 

After independent from Dutch colonial in 1945, the founder of the Indonesian stated that West Papua (East Papua is Papua New Guinea) is part of Indonesia. However, the large island is still under dominance of the Netherlands and prepared to be sovereign country in 1974.

Sukarno (the first president) stated that the sovereign country of West Papua was a Netherlands strategy (or western countries) to continue to drive imperialism after total failure of colonialism in archipelago. State of West Papua is considered as a puppet country and would be shaded an independence of Indonesia. 

On December 19, 1961, President Sukarno announced the implementation of Trikora Operation. The aim was to baffle establishment of West Papua State and integrate it into Indonesia. Sukarno established Mandala Command led by Soeharto. This command duty was to execute armed confrontation against the Netherlands. 

Makassar is selected by Soeharto as a base of his troops. A confrontation passed off two years. In 1963, after some fierce battles, Indonesia and the Netherlands made negotiations in New York. Insistence on the United States, the Netherlands recognizes that West Papua is part of Indonesia.(*)