The History Of Indonesian Independence: The Story Of The Red And White Flag Sewn By Mother Fatmawati

Ibu Fatmawati Soekarno sewed the red and white flag in October 1944, which eventually became the heritage flag and was hoisted at the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence on 17 August 1945. (Kompas Archives)

JAKARTA - No one doubts the 'magical power' of the Red and White Flag. Every day the Red and White Flag flies, the courage and spirit of the Indonesian freedom fighters increases. Dutch colonizers to Japan know about it. They often forbid the raising of the flag.

However, everything changed when Japan promised Indonesia's independence. The flag is allowed to fly. Everyone rejoice. Fatmawati moreover. He also sewed a special flag to be flown on Indonesia's independence day.

The chain of colonialism cannot only be broken by taking up arms. Freedom fighters understand this very well. They use all means for one purpose: independence. Propaganda is one way. The propaganda that is most capable of burning the spirit is to rely on symbols of resistance.

The red and white flag and the national anthem Indonesia Raya are some of them. Freedom fighters often use these two elements when organizing the masses to tear down the 'fort' of colonialism. Soekarno even openly used both (the flag and the song) every time he burned the people's spirit from the pulpit to the pulpit.

President Soekarno and Mrs. Fatmawati and their five children: Guntur, Megawati, Rachmawati, Sukmawati, and Guruh. (Wikimedia Commons)

The results are amazing. The spirit of the bumiputras increased. The spell was so feared by the Dutch colonialists. The freedom fighters movement was also disrupted. They were threatened by the Dutch with imprisonment and exile. However, the spirit of independence is still burning.

The Japanese who replaced the Dutch as colonizers were the same. Those in power are afraid of the act of raising the Indonesian flag. The only flag that is allowed to fly is the Japanese flag. In addition, it is not allowed because it is considered to be able to interfere with the existence of Japan in the colonies.

In the end, Japan softened. He who began to swallow defeat in World War II was giving Indonesia freedom. They promised an independent Indonesia. The Indonesian flag and national anthem may be used anywhere. For any purpose in 1944.

"Then, what is the story behind the existence of Sang Saka Merah Putih? A year before Indonesia's independence, Japan had promised independence for Indonesia. That is why Japan has allowed Indonesian youths and fighters to use national symbols such as the red and white flag or sing the anthem Indonesia Raya without having to hide it.”

“Soekarno feels very proud of this. Soekarno believed that the Japanese decision greatly helped him and other fighters to be able to raise the fighting spirit of the Indonesian youth at that time. But unfortunately, Soekarno and Fatmawati had difficulty getting the red and white flag. At that time, there was only burlap, and the cloth was too heavy to be flown as a flag,” said Abraham Panumbangan in the book The Uncensored of Bung Karno (2016).

Fatmawati Sews Red and White Flags

Soekarno and his wife, Fatmawati, also negotiated about a flag that could represent Indonesia. Both wanted Indonesia to have a flag of good size and material. Soekarno also suggested the woman who is familiarly called Ibu Fat to immediately seek help.

Fat mother has not lost her mind. He asked for help from a young man named Chairul Bahri. The young man was asked by Fatmawati to ask for a flag material from a Japanese celebrity pro-Indonesian independence, Shimizu.

All of this was done because finding flag material was not easy at that time. Moreover, Japan was involved in World War II. Fabrics are in crisis. If there is, then the Japanese rulers are in control. Hence, Fat Mother found the right help.

Shimizu's power earned him several pieces of cloth to sew into the Red and White Flag. Because, Shimizu skillfully persuaded the military who guarded the Japanese warehouse. Fatmawati is not happy to play. He immediately sewed the flag.

Raising the Red and White Bender during the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence on Jl. Pegangsaan Timur 56 Jakarta on August 17, 1945. (Wikimedia Commons)

The flag is also the most historic flag. The red and white flag was stitched as the flag used during the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence on August 17, 1945. Not only that, after that the flag was used several times to celebrate the Anniversary of Indonesian Independence.

"When I was about to step out of the door I heard a scream that the flag wasn't there yet, then I turned to take the flag I made when Thunder was still in the womb, a year and a half ago."

“I gave the flag to one of the people present at the place in front of my bedroom. It seems to me that among them are Mas Diro (Sudiro ex Mayor of DKI), Suhud, Colonel Latief Hendraningrat. Immediately, we headed to the ceremony venue, Bung Karno in the front, followed by Bung Hatta, then me," explained Fatmawati in a book entitled Little Notes with Bung Karno (2016).