Facts About Indonesian Proclamation – As we know, Indonesia has been independent for quite many years. Of course, many national heroes went through struggles to liberate Indonesia from colonizers. Not only the struggle, but Indonesia’s independence was also achieved with great sacrifice.
So, we should pay our respects and say our prayers to many heroes that brought freedom to Indonesia. But do you know that there are some interesting facts behind the dramatic Indonesian proclamation of independence?
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Unique Facts About Indonesian Proclamation You Need to Know
Well, these facts about the Indonesian proclamation of independence are not only interesting but also unique. So, let’s take a look at the following facts that you might not know yet, t-mates!
1. The Original Indonesian Proclamation Manuscript Was Lost
Before the reading of the Indonesian proclamation of independence, the text that was supposed to be read by Soekarno could not be found. Fortunately, it turned out that Sayuti Melik had made another copy. So, Soekarno finally read the copy of the manuscript.
Surprisingly, the original manuscript was found in a trash can by a journalist named BM Diah. Eventually, the original manuscript was copied and handed over to the government in 1992.
2. Sutan Sjahrir’s Version of the Proclamation Manuscript
Until now, we know that the proclamation text was written by Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta the night before the proclamation. However, Soekarno-Hatta’s version of the proclamation text was not the first manuscript.
In fact, Sutan Sjahrir had also co-written the proclamation text. As quoted by Rudolf Mrazek in an interview with Sutan Sjahrir, Sutan Sjahrir’s version of the manuscript contained about 300 words and didn’t mention the Dutch and Japanese occupations at all. Instead, it primarily focused on the fate of all Indonesians at that time.
3. Sukarno Was Sick Before Reading the Indonesian Proclamation
Unknown to many, Soekarno had malaria symptoms before reading the proclamation text. Only 2 hours away before the reading of the Indonesian proclamation, Soekarno was still fast asleep in his room with a very high body temperature.
Soekarno’s personal doctor then came and gave him medicine. Luckily, Soekarno could wake up at 9 AM. Ultimately, at 10 AM, Soekarno read the proclamation text of Indonesia’s independence.
4. The Original Indonesian Flag Was Made From Cloth Given by a Japanese Commissioned Officer
Some stories mention the original Indonesian flag was made from a white bed sheet and a red cloth from the Soto roadside stall. But it turned out that Soekarno’s wife named Fatmawati sewed the first red and white flag using the cloth given by a Japanese commissioned officer.
According to the 1978 book Catatan Kecil Bersama Bung Karno, when she was nine months pregnant, Fatmawati said that she was given a white and red cloth by a Japanese officer in October 1944. The officer was Chairul Basri, who received the cloth from Hitoshi Shimizu, Head of Sendenbu or Propaganda Department.
In the end, with that cloth, Fatmawati sewed the first Indonesian flag using a handheld sewing machine.
5. Approached by Japanese Army After the Indonesian Proclamation
Shortly after the Indonesian proclamation text was read by Soekarno, it was reported that the proclamation place was immediately visited by 3-5 Japanese officers.
It was reported that these Japanese officers intended to forbid Soekarno from reading the Indonesian proclamation of independence. Thankfully, Soekarno’s bodyguards could drive away these Japanese officers.
6. The Recording of Indonesian Proclamation Is Not the Original Sound
On every Indonesian Independence Day, you must be familiar with the reading of the proclamation text by Soekarno. Yet, do you know that the recording that you usually listen to was not Soekarno’s original voice when he read the proclamation text for the first time?
Actually, the recording that you can find nowadays is a recording of the proclamation text read by Soekarno in 1951, which was then sent to Lokananta Records in 1959. It was because there was no official documentation during the reading of the proclamation text in 1945.
7. Coronation of Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta as National Heroes
Although Indonesian independence had been proclaimed in 1945, it took a long time for both Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta to be crowned as Indonesian national heroes.
Due to the ever-changing political dynamics and other things, the inauguration of Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta as Indonesian national heroes only took place in 2012 by Former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Even more surprising, the title of Indonesian independence proclaimer was only given to Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta in 1987, about 42 years after Indonesian Independence Day.
Let’s Uphold Indonesian Independence Together!
After reading the interesting facts of the Indonesian proclamation of independence above, it is now our duty to properly maintain the independence that has been brought by the Indonesian national heroes!