Story From The Proclamation Of Indonesian Independence, August 17, 1945: Bung Karno's Malaria Recurs But Healed Thanks To Doctor's Medicine, Not With Yemeni Honey

Bung Karno and Bung Hatta during the proclamation of Indonesian independence on Jl. Pengangsaan Timur 56 Jakarta on August 17, 1945. (Frans Mendoer/IPPHOS)

JAKARTA - The proclamation of Indonesian independence is a sacred moment. Soekarno skillfully opened it with a fiery speech. Especially when reading the text of the proclamation. All freedom fighters were moved.

However, not many people know that Soekarno's health condition is not good. Malaria flared up. Fortunately Bung Karno was given medicine by a doctor. Not Yemeni honey. Moreover, he had suffered from a recurrent disease for a long time. In fact, it got worse when he was exiled to Ende, Flores.

Sadness often surrounds the life of little Soekarno. He can not live without disease. aka sickly. From dysentery to malaria. His parents were confused. Bung Karno's first name, Kusno, was said to be the culprit. The name was changed to Soekarno.

The name change was effective for a while. However, the disease from Sukarno's childhood, malaria often recurs. The disease made Soekarno able to rest in bed for days. Soekarno's resistance activities against the Dutch were disrupted.

Soekarno's relapsing malaria got worse when he was exiled by the Dutch colonial government to Ende, Flores in 1933. Soekarno was stressed when he was exiled in Ende. The condition affected his health. As before, the malaria recurred.

Bung Karno in front of hundreds of people who attended the proclamation of Indonesian independence on Jl. East Pegangsaan 56 Jakarta on August 17, 1945. (Frens Mendoer/IPPHOS_

Bung Karno was absent from his daily activities. Pondering moreover. At that time, a doctor revealed that Bung Karno was nearing his death due to malaria. His spirit was crushed. However, his wife Inggit Garnasih was always beside Bung Karno to encourage him.

Bung Karno's enthusiasm for life also rose. Especially with his strong determination to bring Indonesia independence. Even then the malaria often recurs.

“Actually, my condition cannot be said to be healthy in 1943, both physically and spiritually. The tensions that arise have ripped my soul and body violently. As a sufferer of soluble malaria I was hospitalized for weeks straight. One time, because there were no vacant beds, I was put into the delivery room. Beautiful women were brought in next to me, but I was too poor to pay attention to them.”

“In addition, I suffer from kidney disease. Sometimes I curled up with my feet close to my body, because of the attacks the pain was unbearable. Sometimes I broke out in a cold sweat, sometimes I couldn't even stand still on the podium. It's not happened once or twice, that after finishing a speech I have to crawl with my feet and hands into the vehicle," explained Bung Karno as written by Cindy Adams in Bung Karno's book: Connecting the Tongue of the Indonesian People (2014).

Malaria Relapses During the Proclamation

Soekarno's malaria recurred indefinitely. In fact, in the midst of historic momentum. Malaria recurred on the day of the proclamation of Indonesian independence. At that time, August 17, 1945, in the early morning Soekarno and Hatta had intended to fast. The two of them ate sahur at Admiral Maeda's house.

The two of them returned to their respective homes after having breakfast. Sukarno began to feel unwell, as usual his malaria recurred. The fever is rising. He also took the initiative to spend his time resting on the bed at his residence in Pegangsaan Timur 56.

In the morning there were no signs of Soekarno's condition getting fit. However, everything changed when his personal doctor, dr. R. Suharto came at 07:00. dr. R. Suharto found Bung Karno in a state of high fever.

Action was taken. Bung Karno was given some medicine by him. Bung Karno was forced to break the fast. The medicine is effective. Bung Karno will soon be back in shape. He was also able to immediately ink the history of Indonesia with Hatta as the proclaimer of independence.

Bung Karno and dr. R. Suharto, a personal doctor who treated him when his malaria recurred ahead of the proclamation of Indonesian independence, 17 August 1945. (gesuri.id)

There is also the issue of Bung Karno being given Yemeni honey from Arab merchants, of course it is wrong and cannot be proven. Moreover, the only medicine Bung Karno took was from his personal doctor: dr. R Suharto.

“The family room at the back of the house looks deserted. dr. R. Suharto then went into Soekarno's bedroom. In the bedroom he found Soekarno lying in bed with a high body temperature and fever. According to dr. Moerwardi, Soekarno entered his room before dawn after returning from formulating the text of the proclamation at Admiral Maeda's office. For some dr. R. Suharto let Soekarno sleep soundly."

“After a while, around 08:00, then dr. R. Suharto then made observations on the condition of Soekarno's body. Especially pulse, breathing, and others. from that examination, dr. R. Suharto then concluded that Sukarno was suffering from malaria. With Soekarno's approval, immediately dr. R. Suharto gave an intramescular injection of chinine-urethane into Soekarno's body and then Soekarno was given broom chinine to drink,” explained historian Sri Margana who collaborated with his colleague Baha'Uddin to research dr. R. Suharto, when contacted by VOI, 18 August.