Who is Robert Mellema from This Earth of Mankind and what is their importance?

Robert Mellema is the son of Herman Mellema and Nyai and brother of Annelies. He is the antagonist to Minke. In the division of the Mellema family, he sides with his father. He identifies himself with Europeans, even though he is actually a Native. He is depicted as ruthless, smart, dangerous, and shallow. His actions hurt other characters in the novel: his sister, mother, Minke. His absence from the trial for his murdered father essentially convicts a relatively innocent man.