Oey Tiang Tjoei (Chinese: 黄長水; 1893 – 1977) was an Indonesian journalist, known for being a member of theInvestigating Committee for Preparatory Work for Independence. Prior to thePacific War, he was a prominent supporter of JapanesePan-Asianism.
Oey was born inBatavia on 1893, and he received a Dutch education. He later became influenced by JapanesePan-Asianism, and joined the Hoo Hap secret society where he was its leader in the 1930s.[1] In 1939, he joined the newly formedHong Po newspaper as a director.[2][3] With theSecond Sino-Japanese War then ongoing, most Chinese Indonesian newspapers at that time actively raised funds for war victims and adopted an anti-Japanese stance.Hong Po, however, was strongly pro-Japan.[4] Due to this, a competing Chinese Indonesian newspaper,Keng Po, nicknamed itBohong Po ("News of Lies"). Oei took the nickname as an insult, and he physically assaultedKeng Po's editor in response.[1]
Following theattack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Oey was arrested for his pro-Japanese sentiment by the Dutch authorities. During his incarceration, Oey published his memoirs. He was freed from prison following theJapanese takeover.[1][2] Due to his prewar stance, the Japanese authorities appointed him into several positions, including heading theKakyo Sokai (Chinese association) and directing the Malay language version of the newspaperKung Yung Pao. He was additionally appointed into theCentral Advisory Council, and later in 1945 as a member of theInvestigating Committee for Preparatory Work for Independence to represent the Chinese community inWest Java. Despite beingKakyo Sokai's leader, however, he was not appointed into the smallerPreparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence, the more juniorYap Tjwan Bing being appointed as the group's sole Chinese Indonesian member instead.[1][2]
After thesurrender of Japan, Oey was detained by arriving British soldiers and faded into obscurity.[1] He died in Jakarta in 1977, and his body was cremated.[5]