President Soekarno Appoints Soemarno Sosroatmodjo As Governor Of DKI Jakarta In Today's History, 16 July 1965

JAKARTA - History today, 57 years ago, July 16, 1965, President Soekarno re-appointed Soemarno Sosroatmodjo as governor of DKI Jakarta. Soemarno replaced the previous governor Henk Nuntung. Bung Karno also considered Soemarno, who is also the Indonesian Minister of Home Affairs, the right figure.

All because Soekarno wanted to see Jakarta well organized. Because he wants to see Jakarta as a beacon of civilization for the nation. aka Jakarta which is able to amaze the world.

Soekarno never played games in building Jakarta. Remodeling the face of Jakarta is considered an important task. Moreover, when Indonesia became independent, Jakarta was still dominated by Dutch heritage buildings and icons.

Sukarno also tactics. He plans a lot of new icons. People also know Soekarno's ambitious project in Jakarta by the name of the lighthouse project. Everything that is built in Jakarta at least with his approval. It must also have a deep meaning related to the romanticism of the revolution.

He set the direction of the development of the city of Jakarta. The goal is clear. So that Jakarta can be in the hearts of every Indonesian people. Jakarta is said to be owned by the Indonesian people. The construction was carried out with great enthusiasm.

A line of architects and artists was gathered by him. Building projects, statues, roads, and gardens are encouraged. Many of the inspirations for its construction came from Soekarno's overseas visits. All for the sake of Jakarta beautifying itself, he thought.

“However, Soekarno had the greatest role in shaping Jakarta during this period. He has a vision for the City of Jakarta where some of that vision has been realized, both when he was in power and after. In addition, he has built most of the famous landmarks of today's Jakarta."

“Some of them are the National Monument which is located in the middle of Jakarta, a towering obelisk building whose top is decorated with a gold-plated flame in the center of Jakarta; Hotel Indonesia, the country's first modern high rise hotel; Sarinah, the first shopping center; Jakarta Bypass and Semanggi Bridge, the first modern highway in Indonesia; all of these and many others are Soekarno's legacy,” said Susan Blackburn in the book Jakarta History 400 Years (2012).

Soekarno was not alone in building Jakarta. He needs someone who can be an extension of his arm to make sure all kinds of projects run. Therefore, Bung Karno determined many people who had the right to be governor of DKI Jakarta.

He also chose the governor not only from politicians. Sometimes Sukarno chose a governor from among the artists. Henk Nuntung, for example. However, it does not mean that those who have a high artistic soul will be governors. The proof is that Henk Nuntung was replaced by Soemarno on June 16, 1965. This position for Soemarno was for the second time leading Jakarta.

“The decree explains the appointment of Major General Dr. Soemarno in addition to his duties as Minister of Home Affairs as of that date, the position of the Head of DKI Jakarta is the same as that of a minister."

"The increase in the status of the leadership position of the DKI Jakarta government was determined by the president to increase the level of ability to build a capital city that is balanced with the greatness of the nation and the state, in accordance with the development of the state administration, especially the development of the State Capital of the Republic of Indonesia in connection with the level of the Indonesian revolution at that time. ,” concluded Obed Bima Wicandra in Henk Nuntung's book: I am not the Governor of the PKI (2017).