Batavia City Changes To Jakarta In Today's History, December 8, 1942

Batavia City (now: Jakarta) the past. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA History today, 81 years ago, December 8, 1942, the Japanese colonialists officially changed the name Batavia to Jakarta. The name change refers to Japan's desire to remove all kinds of Dutch colonial influences in the archipelago.

Previously, Batavia City was deliberately established to become the center of power of the Dutch trading partnership, VOC. The narrative made Batavia the most advanced city in the archipelago. Instead of just being an economic center, Batavia is also like a dream city.

Kompeni and Batavia City are two things that cannot be separated. The Company built Batavia on the ruins of the Jayakarta region from 1619. The owner of the power to build Batavia and make it the center of power.

This narrative made the growth and development of Batavia quickly skyrocket. All kinds of development projects are perpetuated. Facilities and infrastructure continue to be built. The Dutch began to look a lot at Batavia to find a new life.

Various ethnic groups also came to Batavia. All because Batavia is considered capable of promising jobs and stages. Moreover, when the Company began to be replaced by the colonial government of the Dutch East Indies. The charm of Batavia is increasing.

Batavia is often a pioneer in everything. Mainly, in the development, economy, and mass transportation. This success made Batavia like the second home for Europeans. Various Dutch associations were also presented in Batavia.

European-style entertainment began to mushroom in Batavia. Traces of Dutch civilization in the archipelago began to be built through many monuments. The narrative is proof that Dutch rule in the archipelago is able to be centralized in Batavia.

This existence lasted a long time. Even though the center of government had been shifted from Oud Batavia (Old Batavia: Kota Tua) to Weltevreden (now: the area around Lapangan Banteng).

The development of the agricultural economy around Batavia has turned this region from an unstealed forest into a plantation area inhabited by various ethnic groups. The commercialization of agricultural activities makes the rural subsistent economy a market-oriented production area. Commercial plants are grown to meet the demands of the Company.

Especially pepper, sugar cane, and coffee. This commercial-scale agricultural production expansion offers jobs for thousands of Javanese, as well as an attraction for Chinese entrepreneurs and laborers. However, not all newcomers and settlers have just gained their livelihood from inland economic activity," said historian Bondan Kanumoyoso in the book Ommelanden: Community Development and Economy Outside the Wall of Batavia City (2023).

The celebration of Batavia City began to be shaken when the Japanese colonialists established their power in the archipelago. The arrival of Japan made the Dutch run long. The Dutch are busy saving themselves. Japanese colonizers then took control of the entire archipelago.

They then began to reduce all kinds of European-smelling things. This strategy was perpetuated to get sympathy from the bumiputras. Thejian included changing the name of Batavia City to Jakarta on December 8, 1942. The resurgence of Jakarta's name was greeted with great fanfare by the natives.

In 1942 Batavia's name changed to 'Djakarta' as an acronym for 'Djajakarta'. According to Lasmijah Hardi in 'Jakartaku, Jakartamu, Jakarta Kita' (1987), the name change coincided with the celebration of the East Asian War Day on December 8, 1942. The city's full name is 'Jakarta Tokubetsu Shi'

The central government is led by Gunseireikan, who will later become Saikoo Sekikan. Below it is Gunseikan, the ruler of the military government. The highest law (UU) was issued by Gunseireikan, called Osamu Seirei. For example, Osamu Seirei number 16 which took effect on December 8, 1942. The law was the one that changed Batavia's name to Jakarta. He took the date, according to the start date of the Sai Cooai (East Asian War Day), to coincide with the first day of Pearl Harbor's attack.

The government system is an autocratic hierarchy. For example, at the center there is a ban on speaking in Dutch or English by telephone. The prohibition in the region is a prohibition on speaking in that language even with your own family. Everyone must speak in Japanese or Indonesian. Legislative power is held in one hand with executive power, since Gunseireikan reached Syuucouokan (Resident)," explained Kohar Hari Sumarno in his writing Mimbar Magazine ABRI Wealth entitled State Strategy System Based on the 1945 Constitution Able to Support the Insight of the Archipelago and National Resilience (1984).