A Brief History Of The Birth Of Bekasi Regency On August 15, 1950

The Bekasi Monument at the Bekasi City Square, West Java. (AMONG)

JAKARTA - Bekasi City celebrates its anniversary every August 15th. A brief history of the birth of an area which is now known as Bekasi Regency began with the formation of the Bekasi People's Mandate Committee.

"The birth of Bekasi Regency on August 15, 1950 started with the Bekasi People's Mandate Committee, which was spearheaded by KH Noer Ali, R Supardi, Major Madniun Hasibuan, Namin, Aminudin, and Marzuki Urmaini," he said in Cikarang, Sunday, August 15, quoted from ANTARA.

The Bekasi People's Mandate Committee was formed to oppose the existence of the United States of Indonesia (RIS)-Pasundan and to demand the re-establishment of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

"From this movement emerged a grand meeting in Bekasi Square which was attended by tens of thousands of people from Bekasi, Tambun and Cikarang on February 17, 1950," he said.

Ali Anwar said that there were four demands made during the grand meeting and known as the Bekasi People's Resolution. The first is the handover of the powers of the Federal Government to the Republic of Indonesia. Then the return of all of West Java to the Republic of Indonesia.

The third claim no longer recognizes the existence of a government in the Bekasi area other than the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the last claim asks the government to change the name of the Jatinegara Regency area to Bekasi Regency.

"The Bekasi People's Resolution was broadcast to various corners so that it became an example of movement in other areas," he said.

He said the committee leaders also garnered support from a number of parties to realize the demands, including Masjumi leaders and military figures, namely Major Lukas Kustaryo and Moh Moefreini Mukmin in Jakarta.

The proposal, he said, was made three times between February and June 1950 until finally the RIS DPR together with Prime Minister Mohammad Hatta agreed to change the name of Jatinegara Regency to Bekasi Regency.

The approval of the establishment of Bekasi Regency was strengthened after the issuance of Law Number 14 of 1950 on August 15, 1950 so that Bekasi Regency was officially formed and determined on August 15, 1950 which was later designated as the Anniversary of the Bekasi Regency.