Lasut

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Lasut is a native Indonesian family name. It originated from Minahasa, in North Sulawesi province, on the tip of Sulawesi, northern Indonesia. The majority are Protestant.

Ruru Ares or Lolong Lasut (c. 1450-November 1520) was the fonder of the settlement now known as the Manado City, the capital of Minahasa. He came from the Tombulu tribe. His father was Rewa and they live in a village called Kinilow, a district in the mountainside of North Sulawesi. Ruru Ares an explorer and a great worrier for his time. Lolong Lasut was his name when he became the tribal chief. Two Portuguese Captains, Antonio de Abreu and Juan de Avedo, mentioned his name in their ship log books when they first landed in Manado for water and trading.

Ruru Ares had a brother named Wuaya. Wuaya traveled around the mountainside and settled at the shore of Lake Tondano. This settlement has now grown into a town now called Tondano. Ruru Ares as an explorer on his journey through the jungle came across other small groups of people living together. He married and his family and friends followed him on his journey. At the end of his journey he reached the seashore where he settled. This settlement is called Wenang and later called Manado. At this settlement his follower took Ruru Ares as their group leader and called him Lolong Lasut. Lolong means tribe leader. Ruru Ares Lolong Lasut was known as a wise leader and had strong influence among other tribes in his neighboring settlement. He was a prominent figure at his time. In about the 1960 the Governor of North Sulawesi erected a monument (a replica of Ruru Ares Lolong Lasut) at Wenang Square the center of the city of Manado; not far from where is was buried.

In time agricultural become popular for living as well for trading. Their main trading crops where Coconut, Clove and Nutmeg which had demands from foreign traders such as China and Portugal, and later the Dutch East India Company (VOC). The Dutch demise tribal groups. The land became registered properties and Lasut became a big land lord, spanning from Tikala district to Paldua district to Tonsea district.

Minahasa became very westernized, it became a very busy trading place for Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, Britain and the Netherlands. This led to many mix marriages. The Manadonese people usually have a very fair skin, close to creamy yellow. According to Anthropology studies about the migration of the human race the Indonesian race was originated from China.

Arie Frederik Lasut (b. July 6, 1918 in Tondano) became a National Hero of Indonesia in 1940. He initially worked as a Clerk for the Dutch Department of Economics Government in Jakarta. He then worked at the Department of Mining in Bandung. As Indonesia was struggling for independence from the Dutch reign, Arie Lasut became an informant for the Indonesians. He stole many mining maps and other information from the Dutch. Sadly though the Dutch captured, imprisoned and executed Arie. He was later declared a National Hero when Indonesia regained independence.

Willy Lasut, Arie Lasut’s younger brother was a crucial part of the resistance against the Dutch. From his humble beginnings as a soldier to his triumphant role as general in the 1960’s. Early in President Soeharto’s regime, Willy Lasut was appointed as Governor for the province of North Sulawesi/Minahasa. He tried hard to develop his native homeland. But because the central govenmet was very corrupt he had a hard time. As a soldier and a very discipline person, not a diplomat, he became very idealistic for Minahasa. Minahasa became very prosperous. Willy did direct trading with the Netherlands and Australia which the central government was not happy with his actions. The central government suspected Willy became rich because of the prosperity in Minahasa, they requested donations not for the government but for the big bosses in Jakarta. As a good Christian follower Willy was against corruption. He got in trouble. He was requested to come back to Jakarta for another post, which he rejected. He was a good and honest leader. But President Soeharto was very strong so Willy lost his job. Now he lives a simple life as a retired general.