Patung Mas Tentara Republik Indonesia Pelajar (TRIP)

The Statue of Indonesian Student Armed Forces (TRIP) was inaugurated on July 31, 2006 by the Mayor of Malang City, Peni Suparto. TRIP was formed on January 26, 1946, previously known as the People’s Security Army (TKR). This statue depicts the figure of two young men in army uniforms standing side by side on a pedestal covered with white marble tile. The figure of the youth on the left was carrying a rifle on his back and a pocket book with his left hand, while the figure on the right was carrying a weapon with his right hand.

The statue was built to commemorate 9 TRIP members who were taken captive and 35 TRIP members who died fighting to defend the city of Malang during the Dutch Military Aggression I in 1947. According to historical records on July 21, 1947, the Dutch began their Operation Product, or so called Military Aggression I. TRIP troops spread to the front lines and suburban areas of Malang City to prepare the people against the attack. On July 23, the people fought while waiting for the arrival of reinforcements from the Indonesian army troops to Malang. TRIP was there to prepare a defense base. Warehouses and factories were destroyed. Contong Square, BRI Building, Residency Office, Hotel Negara (Splendid Inn), Hotel Palace, Rex Cinema, and People’s Building (Onderling Belang) were exploded with bombs. The scorched earth tactic was carried out so that the Dutch would not have the benefit from these vital buildings if they succeeded in taking over Malang City.

The peak of the fighting occurred on July 31, 1947, when the Dutch attacked with heavy armoured vehicles and fully equipped weapons from the northern entrance route of Malang. Inside the city, TRIP troops were on standby at the Betek Horse Racing Field, Jl. Salak (now Jl. Pahlawan TRIP), a shootout occurred between TRIP troops and the Dutch. Dutch run over a crowd of TRIP soldiers with a tank. More than 34 students died. The fighters who died were buried by 9 people, who were taken prisoner by the Dutch, in a hole not far from the TRIP headquarters on Jl. Salak which is now named Jl. Pahlawan TRIP. This event became the background for the establishment of the Mas TRIP Statue.

Patung Mas Tentara Republik Indonesia Pelajar (TRIP) diresmikan pada tanggal 31 Juli 2006 oleh Walikota Malang, Peni Suparto. TRIP dibentuk pada tanggal 26 Januari 1946 yang sebelumnya bernama Tentara Keamanan Rakyat (TKR). Patung ini menggambarkan figur dua pemuda dengan seragam tentara yang tengah berdiri bersebelahan di atas panggung berlapis marmer. Figur pemuda di sebelah kiri tampak membawa senjata di punggung dengan kepala sedikit condong ke kiri depan dan tangan kiri tampak membawa buku saku. Figur pemuda sebelah kanan tampak sedang menenteng senjata pada tangan kanan dengan tangan kiri sedang berkacak pinggang dan kepala sedikit mendongak ke arah kiri.

Patung tersebut dibangun untuk mengenang 9 anggota TRIP yang ditawan dan 35 anggota TRIP yang gugur berjuang mempertahankan kota Malang pada masa Agresi Militer I Belanda di tahun 1947. Menurut catatan sejarah pada 21 Juli 1947 Belanda meluncurkan Agresi Militer I dan menggempur daerah-daerah di wilayah Indonesia, salah satunya Kota Malang. Esoknya untuk merencanakan pertahanan, bangunan strategis dikosongkan dan objek vital dihanguskan. Pasukan TRIP menyebar ke garis depan dan daerah-daerah pinggiran Kota Malang untuk mempersiapkan rakyat menghadapi musuh. Tanggal 23 Juli rakyat melawan serangan Belanda. Sembari menanti kedatangan bala bantuan pasukan tentara Indonesia datang ke Kota Malang, TRIP mempersiapkan basis pertahanan. Banyak gedung dan pabrik dihancurkan. Alun-alun Contong, Gedung BRI, Kantor Keresidenan, Hotel Negara (Splendid Inn), Hotel Palace dan Bioskop Rex hingga Gedung Rakyat (Onderling Belang) dihancurkan dengan bom. Taktik bumi hangus dilakukan agar Belanda tidak mendapatkan keuntungan dari bangunan-bangunan vital tersebut, apabila berhasil merebut Kota Malang.

Puncak pertempuran terjadi pada 31 Juli 1947, Belanda menyerbu dengan kendaraan berat dan persenjataan lengkap dari jalur masuk utara Malang. Di dalam kota, pasukan TRIP bersiaga sampai di Lapangan Pacuan Kuda Betek, Jl. Salak (sekarang Jl. Pahlawan TRIP), terjadi tembak menembak antara pasukan TRIP dan Belanda. Dengan sebuah tank, Belanda melindas kerumunan tentara TRIP, menyebabkan lebih dari 34 pelajar gugur. Pejuang yang gugur dikubur oleh 9 orang yang ditawan Belanda ke dalam satu lubang yang tidak jauh dari markas TRIP di Jl. Salak yang kini bernama Jl. Pahlawan TRIP. Peristiwa ini yang menjadi latar belakang pendirian Patung Mas TRIP.

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