Seconds Of Indonesian Independence: Fierce Debates For The Old And Young Groups In Rengasdengklok

JAKARTA - The debate between the old and young groups for Indonesia's independence was fierce. The young people 'Sarani, Wikana and others did not like the style of the old group who were waiting for the independence prize from Japan.

Efforts were made to urge the old group Soekarno and Hatta to do so. The independence fighter was kidnapped to Rengasdenglok. The situation heated up. The two groups argued with each other. There is also an underestimate tone. However, the decision of the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence must be taken.

The bombing of Hiroshima and Thom brought pain to Japan on August 6 and 9, 1945. This condition made Japan waver. They no longer have hope in fighting for their desires as a great power in the world.

Japan then surrendered unconditionally to the Allies on August 14, 1945. News of Japan surrendering has spread throughout the country. The underground freedom fighter movement and the young group have also heard the same news.

They are waiting for responses from old group independence fighters such as Bung Karno, Bung Hatta, to Achmad Soebardjo. Differences of opinion occur. The old people are still waiting for Japan's promise to be independent.

The other way around. They forced independence to take place in a short time. They hold on to the fact that Japan no longer has a capable war force.

Young groups such as Sukarni, Wikana, and BM Diah were furious. They didn't get time to sit down together. This condition makes the young group darken their eyes. They also intended to kidnap Indonesian fighting icons Soekarno and Hatta in the early hours of the morning, August 16, 1945.

Soekarno's kidnapping was tense. A group of youths in terrible clothes came to Soekarno's residence on Jalan Pegangsaan Timur 56. They pointed a gun and a knife at Bung Karno, who had just finished suhoor in the moderate condition of Ramadan.

They asked Bung Karno to come along. Bung Karno was not afraid. He even invited his wife, Fatmawati and her son Guntur to come to a place that was later known as Rengasdenglok, Karawang, West Java. Hatta also experienced the same condition.

Outside, we were waiting for a small black Fiat. Inside, it turned out to be waiting for Bung Hatta. We sat behind four. Meanwhile, Sukarni and one of her friends sat in front beside the driver, namely Winoto Danuasmoro's brother.

"It's pitch black night. The light feels cold, the car continues to go to a place that I still remember is like a guard (post). Here I wash my face and I pass my clothes, because it's normal to breastfeed at five in the morning. I didn't know that the supply milk was left behind in Jakarta. We moved the car. Fiat's car is back to take powder milk left in Jakarta," said Bung Karno's wife, Fatmawati in the book Catatan Kecil with Bung Karno (2016).

The debate took place in Rengasdengklok. The young group represented by Wikana tried to state its meaning. They explained that now is the right time to proclaim Indonesian Independence.

This condition is based on the fact that Japan has lost. However, that view was not immediately heeded. Bung Karno exclaimed that the young people must wait for their signal of independence. Indonesian independence fighters can be trapped in a big war if they are reckless.

Young groups also think they are ready to fight with Japan. The old people thought it was unrealistic. This is because Indonesian fighters do not excel in terms of weaponry and all kinds of things. The old people asked them to think carefully about the plan for independence.

Achmad Soebardjo who followed to Rengasdengklok tried to cool the atmosphere. He tries to calm the old-young group. He asked the younger group to think about profit and loss in every action. The younger generation did not lose answers.

They claimed to have few weapons, but they felt any weaponry could be used to fight, not just a gun and a rifle. Wikana was furious. In fact, he had held Bung Karno's neck trunk.

However, Bung Karno remained in his stance. Bung Karno's recklessness actually challenged Wikana to slit his throat. Bung Karno did not want to sacrifice the lives of the people for the sake of the desire for independence in the style of the young group. Conclusions were drawn.

The old group did not want independence on August 16, 1945. They then chose August 17, 1945. Young people cannot refuse. Moreover, BM diah from the young group has mentioned that only Soekarno and Hatta can liberate Indonesia. Even August 16, 1945 became the busiest day for freedom fighters and the Proclamation of independence took place the next day, or on August 17, 1945.

Bung as our leader, people's leaders must take a firm stance. Bung Karno must proclaim independence, the independence of the Indonesian nation. We young people are ready. However, we will not be able to proclaim independence alone.

Bung Karno and Bung Hatta are the leaders of the people as a whole. Only Bung can both be trusted, followed by the people. We will be the shield of the people and according to orders of Bung Karno and Bung Hatta," said BM Diah in the book Catatan BM Diah (2018).