17 Agustus tahun 45, itulah hari kemerdekaan kita (17 August 45, that is our day of independence)

            Hari Merdeka Nusa dan Bangsa (The independence day of the homeland and the nation)

            Hari lahirnya Bangsa Indonesia (The birthday of the Indonesian nation)

What do you think when you hear the fragment of that song? That’s a fragment of our national compulsory song, the song of Independence Day. On 17 August 1945, our founding father as well as the Indonesian Proclamatory Soekarno and Moh. Hatta proclaimed Indonesian Independence. This independence was won by the struggle of our heroes. Hundreds of years we fought for independence even with many casualties, from the Dutch, British, and even Japanese colonies we can go through. Indonesia was enough to be colonized, and in 1945 was the perfect time to proclaim our independence.

Seconds of Indonesian proclamation on 17 August 1945 preceded by several important events. Initially, Indonesian independence would be given by Japan marked by the formation of BPUPKI (The Investigation Agency for Preparatory Efforts for Indonesian Independence) on 1 March 1945. BPUPKI chaired by Dr. K.R.T. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat and Ichibangase Yoshio (Japanese) as the vice-chairman. With the existence of BPUPKI, the Indonesian national principle has been designed.  However, the duties of BPUPKI were subsequently replaced by PPKI (The Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence) chaired by Ir. Soekarno. The discourse of giving Indonesian independence by Japan as a “gift” was strengthened by the calling of Soekarno, Hatta, and Radjiman by Gen. Terauchi (Japan General) to Dalat (Vietnam) on 9 August 1945. However, Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan were nuclear bombed by US forces. This made Japan devastated and surrendered to the allies.

The momentum of Japanese defeat was utilized by the young to urge the old to proclaim the g independence. But the old refused the young’s request, the old chose to wait for the independence “gift” from Japan. With all the conflicts between the old and the young, the young took action to kidnap Soekarno and Hatta to Rengasdengklok. This event is known as the Rengasdengklok Event. The Rengasdengklok event happened on 16 August 1945. Rengasdengklok was chosen to avoid Japanese intervention against Soekarno and Moh. Hatta and also Rengasdengklok far from the reach of Japanese troops.

Meanwhile, in Jakarta, Achmad Soebarjo from The Old and Wikana from The Young discussed that Indonesia’s independence should be held in Jakarta. Finally, they agreed that Soekarno and Hatta would be picked up to return to Jakarta, with the guarantee that the proclamation of independence would be announced on 17 August 1945. After arriving in Jakarta, the residence of Admiral Maeda, a Japanese admiral who was sorry for colonialism in Indonesia, was chosen. The proclamation text was formulated by Soekarno, Hatta, and Achmad Soebarjo.

On August 17, 1945, at 04:00, Soekarno opened the meeting in the early morning and the text of the proclamation was then typed by Sayuti Melik. After being finished, Soekarno and Hatta immediately signed the text. They have agreed to proclaim the independence of the Indonesian at Soekarno’s house, East Pegangsaan Street Number 56 Jakarta. At exactly 10:00, Soekarno and Hatta proclaimed independence by reading the text of the proclamation and flying Indonesian Flag sewn by Mrs. Fatmawati to the accompaniment of the Indonesia Raya song. All the people, both present or not, welcomed this happy news. The content of the text of the proclamation is:

P R O K L A M A S I

Kami bangsa Indonesia dengan ini menyatakan kemerdekaan Indonesia.

Hal-hal yang mengenai pemindahan kekuasaan d.l.l., diselenggarakan

dengan cara saksama dan dalam tempo yang sesingkat-singkatnya.

Djakarta, hari 17 bulan 8 tahun 05

Atas nama bangsa Indonesia.

Soekarno/Hatta

PROCLAMATION

We the people of Indonesia hereby declare the independence ofIndonesia. Matters which concern the transfer of power e.t.c.will be executed by careful means and in theshortest possible time.

Djakarta, 17 August 05

in the name of the people of Indonesia

Soekarno/Hatta

Unfortunately, this year is a year full of sorrow for the whole world including Indonesia. Indonesia is being hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. This year is great momentum for Indonesia after 75 years of independence., but God has destined another. The holding of Indonesia’s independence commemoration this year is very different from the previous year. There are no more festivals, no more parades, and all commemorative activities are carried out in compliance with health protocols and are mostly conducted online. Hopefully, with the 75th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence this year, the Indonesian nation can be ree from the Covid-19 pandemic just as it is freed from colonialism.

Kemerdekaan hanyalah didapat dan dimiliki oleh bangsa yang jiwanya berkobar – kobar dengan tekad ‘Merdeka, merdeka atau mati’! – Ir. Soekarno

Happy Independence Day! Advanced Indonesia