History Of The Proclamation Of Indonesian Independence: The Ceremony Is Simple, The Impact Is Extraordinary

President Soekarno (central) accompanied by Vice President Mohammad Hatta (right) read the text of the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence on Jalan Pegangsaan Timur, Jakarta, August 17, 1945. (ANTARA PHOTO/IPPHOS/Rei/Koz/1945)

JAKARTA - The declaration of independence of a nation is often greeted with great fanfare. The event should not be arbitrary. Independence fighters work hand in hand to realize a large independence ceremony and are attended by many people. Opposite efforts for the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence are the opposite.

The ceremony was held simply, even though it was full of warmth. There is no definite protocol. The loudspeaker was taken from the Japanese army. The flag was sewn by Bung Karno's wife, Fatmawati. The simplicity is equipped with a flagpole from bamboo.

Indonesian independence fighters seemed unable to sleep well in August 1945. They were forced to work and formulate Indonesia's independence. This condition is because Japanese supervision is starting to loosen.

Young freedom fighters -- Sukarni, Sayuti Melik, Wikana, and BM Diah began to color the canvas of the struggle. They began to build a lot of movement. They tried to gather youths and weapons. Thankfully the movement was useful when Indonesia was forced to fight.

The old group is also no less busy. They from Soekarno, Hatta, Radjiman Wedyodiningrat tried to collect the Dutch promise to give a definite date for independence. The hope for independence began to light up when Japan surrendered to allies on August 14, 1945.

The momentum of Japan's surrender is the biggest echo among freedom fighters. The independence of the old and young class is increasingly unable to sleep. They continue to race against time. The young group began to press the old group to liberate Indonesia on April 15, 1945.

The result was nil. No one agreed. Young groups who can't wait to immediately kidnap Soekarno-Hatta on August 16, 1945. That day, the two groups then acted to formulate the manuscript of the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence at the home of a high-ranking Japanese naval officer, Admiral Tadashi Maeda. The Japanese who are pro-Indonesian independence.

A long, tiring night lasted until early morning on August 17, 1945. The text of the Proclamation of Independence also summarized. As a result, the proclamation of independence ceremony will be held at Bung Karno's house on Jalan Pegangsaan Timur 56.

Hundreds of people from all kinds of warrior elements were present. Soekarno and Hatta represent the entire Indonesian nation to celebrate Indonesian independence. The fruit is August 17, 1945, a day of independence for the Indonesian nation.

"That's how it is, brothers and sisters. We are now independent. There is no one bond that binds our homeland and our nation. From now on we are compiling our country. An independent country, a Republic of Indonesia merdeka, eternal, eternal. God willing, God will bless our independence," explained Bung Karno's speech, quoted by his personal doctor who also witnessed the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence, R. Suharto in the book Historical Witness (1989).

The Proclamation of Indonesian Independence went smoothly. However, the most decisive event in the history of the Indonesian nation is far from luxury if you don't want to say it's too simple.

However, that's how it is. The proclamation of independence was carried out without adequate preparation. The location of the Proclamation is only in Bung Karno's yard, not in large fields where the incident can accommodate tens to hundreds of thousands of people.

Only hundreds of people attended. Soekarno's wife, Fatmawati, even tried to calculate it. He said that there were no more than 300 people who came. Bung Karno himself described the ceremony as very simple.

The ceremony was performed without a protocol. No one is assigned. No one has assigned it. People only understand that it is Soekarno-Hatta who acts as the proclaimer. The rest only improvise each person.

The equipment used to block the proclamation is no less simple. The proclamation is equipped with loudspeakers. Even that was stolen from a Japanese radio station. The red and white flag came from the stitches of Bung Karno's wife, Fatmawati.

This simplicity is increasing with the flagpole which is only a long bamboo. There is no music. There is no orchestra. After the proclamation, the banquet is relatively modest. Even because at that time it was fasting month. This condition is far from simple compared to the statement of independence from other countries.

Recently, a simple and solemn atmosphere has become the most important history for the Indonesian people. This simplicity did not necessarily reduce the influence of the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence. The influence of the proclamation was jarring.

In Indonesia, his spirit caught fire to keep Indonesia's independence: once independent, still independent. They do not want to be colonized for the umpteenth time. Independence fighters are also preparing to take up arms with the nation and state when the Dutch colonialists return with British allies.

No one has been assigned to fly the sacred Red and White flag. There was no preparation for that, and no one thought so far. Latief Hendraningrat, one of the few present wearing uniforms, was near the post.

Everyone waited tensely when he took the flag, tied it to a rough and tangled rope and waved it alone, with pride for the first time in three and a half centuries. No music, no orchestra. After the flag was raised, we sang the song Indonesia Raya," said Bung Karno, written by Cindy Adams in the book Bung Karno: Connecting the Tongue of the Indonesian People (2014).