Background to the Rengasdengklok Incident – The Rengasdengklok incident was a kidnapping event carried out by a number of youths including Soekarni, Wikana, Aidit, and Chaerul Saleh from the “Menteng 31” association against Soekarno and Hatta. This incident occurred on August 16, 1945 at 03.00 WIB, Soekarno and Hatta were taken to Rengasdengklok, Karawang, to then be urged to speed up the proclamation of independence of the Republic of Indonesia, until an agreement was made between the old groups represented by Soekarno and Hatta and Mr. Achmad Subardjo with young people about when the proclamation would be implemented, especially after Japan suffered defeat in the Pacific War.
Facing this pressure, Soekarno and Hatta remained unchanged. Meanwhile in Jakarta, Chaerul and his friends had devised a plan to seize power. But what had been planned was not successful because not all PETA members supported the plan.
The proclamation of independence of the Republic of Indonesia was planned to be read by Bung Karno and Bung Hatta on Friday, August 17, 1945. There were two preferred locations for reading the text of the proclamation, namely IKADA Square (which has now become Monas Square) or Bung Karno’s house on Jl. East Pegangsaan No. 56.
Bung Karno’s house was finally chosen to avoid chaos between the residents and the Japanese army because Japanese soldiers had been on guard at the IKADA Field after receiving information that an event would be held at that location. The text of the Proclamation was compiled in Rengasdengklok, at Djiaw Kie Siong’s house. The Red and White Flag was hoisted by fighters in Rengasdengklok on Thursday, August 16, in preparation for the proclamation of Indonesian independence.
Because he did not receive any news from Jakarta, Jusuf Kunto was sent to negotiate with the youths in Jakarta. However, when he arrived in Jakarta, Kunto only met Wikana and Mr. Achmad Soebardjo, then Kunto and Achmad Soebardjo went to Rengasdengklok to pick up Soekarno, Hatta, Fatmawati and Guntur.
Achmad Soebardjo invited Bung Karno and Hatta to go to Jakarta to read the proclamation at Jalan Pegangsaan Timur No. 56, Bung Karno’s house. On August 16 at midnight the group arrived in Jakarta.
The next day, on August 17, 1945, the proclamation statement was announced with the text of the proclamation of Indonesian Independence which was typed by Sayuti Melik using a typewriter “borrowed” (actually taken) from the office of the Chief Representative of Kriegsmarine, Major (Laut) Dr. Hermann Kandeler.
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Background to the Rengasdengklok Incident
On August 14, 1945, Sutan Syahrir heard news from the radio that Japan had surrendered from the Allies in the Greater East Asia War. Sutan Syahrir immediately met Soekarno and Hatta to deliver the news.
At that time, Soekarno and Hatta had just returned from Dalat, Vietnam, after meeting with Japan’s highest military leader for the Southeast Asian region, Marshal Terauchi. To Sukarno-Hatta, Terauchi promised independence for Indonesia.
Disagreements of opinion ensued among the three national figures. Sjahrir requested that independence be declared immediately. However, Sukarno and Hatta, who were not convinced by the news of Japan’s defeat, instead chose to wait for confirmation while waiting for Dai Nippon’s promise of independence. To anticipate this, young people kidnapped Soekarno and Hatta so that they would not be influenced by the Japanese.
That true independence is the result of the struggle of the Indonesian people alone, not a gift from Japan. The day after hearing the news of Japan’s defeat against the allies, the youth group held a negotiation at Pegangsaan Timur Jakarta, on 15 August. In this meeting it was decided that the implementation of independence be released from all ties and relations with the agreement of independence from Japan.
The Rengasdengklok incident had its own meaning for the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence. The Rengasdengklok incident has not only become a name for a place, but has become a silent witness to the history of the Indonesian nation’s independence. On August 15, to be precise, the youth group held a meeting at Pegangsaan Timur, Jakarta, regarding when the announcement of the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence should be made.
The meeting chaired by Chaerul Saleh then agreed that Indonesia’s independence was a decision of the Indonesian people, not Japan. That night, the youth groups sent Wikana and Darwis to meet Soekarno and Hatta, they demanded that the proclamation of independence be carried out on August 16, 1945. If Soekarno-Hatta refused, there would be a big upheaval.
However, Soekarno and Hatta rejected Wikana and Darwis’ request. Sukarno could not let go of his responsibility as chairman of the PPKI, so he had to negotiate first with the agency made in Japan. After receiving rejection from Soekarno and Hatta, Wikana and Darwis then returned and held a meeting which was held at Jalan Cikini 71, Jakarta.
The meeting was attended by leaders of other youth groups. They also decided to bring Soekarno and Hatta to Rengasdengklok to keep them away from Japanese influence.
Figures that are often referred to as the old group are Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta, members and administrators of BPUPKI, and PPKI. The old group represented by Soekarno and Hatta and Mr. Achmad Subardjo with young people about when the proclamation will be implemented, especially after Japan suffered defeat in the Pacific War.
Young people, namely Sukarni, Chaerul Saleh, Yusuf Kunto, Dr. Muwardi, Shodanco Singgih, Wikana, Sayuti Melik, Sudiro, BM Diah, Djohar Nur, Kusnandar, Subadio, Subianto, Margono, Adam Malik, Armansyah.
The rengasdengklok incident was an incident of kidnapping carried out by a number of youths, namely Soekarni, Wikana, Aidit, and Chaerul Saleh from the “Menteng 31” association against Soekarno and Hatta. This incident occurred on August 16, 1945 at 03.00 WIB. Soekarno and Hatta were brought to Rengasdengklok, Karawang to be urged to hasten the proclamation of independence of the Republic of Indonesia, until an agreement was reached between the old factions.
The kidnapping of the two senior figures was commanded by Shodanco Singgih. At Rengasdengklok, Soekarno and Hatta were again urged by the youth to immediately proclaim independence.
In the face of this pressure, Soekarno and Hatta remained unchanged in their stance. Meanwhile in Jakarta, Chaerul and his friends had devised a plan to seize power. But what had been planned didn’t just work, this was because not all PETA members supported the plan.
The proclamation of independence of the Republic of Indonesia was planned to be read by Bung Karno and Bung Hatta on Friday, August 17, 1945 at the IKADA Field or at Bung Karno’s house, on Jl. East Pegangsaan No. 56.
Soekarno’s house was chosen at Jalan Pegangsaan Timur No. 56. The text of the Proclamation was compiled in Rengasdengklok, at Djiaw Kie Siong’s house. The Red and White Flag was hoisted by fighters in Rengasdengklok on Thursday, August 16, in preparation for the proclamation of Indonesian independence.
Because he did not receive any news from Jakarta, Jusuf Kunto was sent to negotiate with the youths in Jakarta. However, when he arrived in Jakarta, Kunto only met Wikana and Mr. Achmad Soebardjo, then Kunto and Achmad Soebardjo went to Rengasdengklok to pick up Soekarno, Hatta, Fatmawati and Guntur. Achmad Soebardjo invited Bung Karno and Hatta to go to Jakarta to read the proclamation at Jalan Pegangsaan Timur No. 56. On August 16 at midnight the group arrived in Jakarta.
So, the background to the occurrence of the Rengasdengklok incident occurred due to differences of opinion regarding the implementation of the proclamation of independence. Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta still had the desire to discuss everything regarding the implementation of the proclamation at the meeting of the Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence (PPKI). The difference in views between the young people and Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta gave rise to the intention of the young people to kidnap them both. The decision to kidnap the two figures was made at a meeting held by the youths on the early morning of August 16, 1945.
This kidnapping incident was given to Singgih. In carrying out this kidnapping, Singgih was assisted by Cudanco Latief Hendraningrat by providing several military equipment. Then Soekarno and Hatta were picked up by a group of youths and then taken to Rengasdengklok, because the area was considered safe.
Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta were placed in a house, namely the house belonging to Djiaw Kie Song. The Rengasdengklok incident kidnapped the two of them from Jalan Menteng 31, Jakarta to Rengasdengklok, Karawang. The kidnapping took place around 03.00 in the morning, a day before Indonesian independence.
The negotiations from the Rengasdengklok incident resulted in the decision that the proclamation of independence should be carried out in Jakarta. Achmad Soebardjo asked the young people to immediately bring Soekarno and Hatta back to Jakarta. Instead, Achmad Soebardjo promised to immediately proclaim Indonesian independence without Japanese influence. The agreement made Yusuf Kunto and Achmad Soebardjo leave for Rengasdengklok to pick up Soekarno and Hatta back to Jakarta.
In the evening, the group arrived in Jakarta. Soekarno and Hatta were escorted to the house of Admiral Maeda on Jalan Imam Bonjol, Central Jakarta, which is now the Proclamation Manuscript Formulation Building. On August 16, 1945, the house was used by youths and members of the Defenders of the Homeland (PETA) as a resting place for Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta.
The Rengasdengklok incident and the placement of Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta at Djiaw Kie Song’s house were not ordinary events, but the biggest events which were one of the milestones in the history of Indonesian independence.
Impact of the Rengasdengklok Incident
After Soekarno and Hatta were kidnapped in Rengasdengklok, Soekarno, in the presence of Shodanco Singgih, decided to agree to hold a proclamation after he returned to Jakarta. The older and the younger groups also agreed on the decision that Sukarno should make the Proclamation of Independence in Jakarta.
The next day, Ahmad Subardjo was willing to put his life on the line by picking up Soekarno and Hatta to return to Jakarta and guaranteeing the Proclamation of Independence.
The next day, on August 17, 1945, at 10.00 WIB, the proclamation statement was announced with the text of the proclamation of Indonesian Independence typed by Sayuti Melik using a typewriter that was “borrowed” (actually taken) from the office of the Head of Kriegsmarine Representative, Major (Sea) Dr. . Hermann Kandeler.
At that time Soekarno and Moh. Hatta, the leaders wanted the proclamation to be carried out through the PPKI, while the youth group wanted the proclamation to be carried out as soon as possible without going through the PPKI which was considered a body made in Japan.
In addition, this was done so that Soekarno and Moh. Hatta was not influenced by Japan. The youth groups were worried that independence, which was actually the result of the struggle of the Indonesian nation, would become as if it had been a gift from Japan.
Previously the youth group had held a negotiation at a bacteriology institute in Pegangsaan Timur Jakarta, on 15 August. In this meeting it was decided that the implementation of independence would release all ties and relations with the promise of independence from Japan. The results of the decision were submitted to Ir. Soekarno in the evening but was rejected by Sukarno because he felt responsible as chairman of the PPKI.
Benefits of the Rengasdengklok Event
Sinaumed’s The Rengasdengklok incident certainly has benefits for the Indonesian people. From the Rengasdengklok Incident, consciously or not, the kidnapping incident of Soekarno – Hatta to Rengasdengklok had a major influence on the development of the Indonesian nation. Let’s imagine if the young people didn’t kidnap the old people quickly, would the proclamation be issued that quickly?
Well, the older group as those holding high positions tend to be more careful and selective in determining the direction of movement. This could be because the burden they are carrying is too great, so if they make a wrong move, ordinary people may become the victims. Therefore, the elderly are more vigilant in choosing the day of the proclamation of independence.
Meanwhile, the younger group is considered to be more responsive in responding to the situation. Those who still have enthusiasm and a young soul seem not afraid to take various risks, including carrying out the proclamation of independence. The Rengasdengklok incident ultimately accelerated the implementation of the proclamation of Indonesian independence.
This also cannot be separated from the policy of the old group who agreed with the implementation of the proclamation of independence on August 17, 1945.
If at that time there was no Rengasdengklok event, then it is not certain that the proclamation of independence could have materialized. Remember, opportunity doesn’t always come twice, so 17 August 1945 was the best moment to declare Indonesia’s independence.
Sound of the Proclamation Text
Proclamation
We, the Indonesian nation, hereby declare Indonesia’s independence. Matters concerning the transfer of power and other things, shall be carried out in a thorough manner and in the shortest possible time.
Jakarta, day 17 boelan 8 tahoen ’05
On behalf of the Indonesian nation,
SOEKARNO / HATTA
The text of the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence was read on August 17, 1945 at Jalan Pegangsaan Timur Number 56, Jakarta. The script was typed by Sayuti Melik. While the preparation of the text of the proclamation was made by Ir. Soekarno, Ahmad Soebardjo, and Mohammad Hatta. The text of the proclamation was signed at the home of Rear Admiral Tadashi Maeda, Meiji Dori Street. Now that place is the Museum for the Formulation of Proclamation Manuscripts, at Jalan Imam Bonjol Number 1, Central Jakarta.
The original text of the proclamation was written on Friday, August 17, 1945 in the morning. The first paragraph of the manuscript was proposed by Ahmad Soebardjo and the second paragraph by Mohammad Hatta. Then the script was typed using a typewriter by Sayuti Melik. The contents of the typed text of the proclamation are slightly different from the handwritten text.
It is said that the handwritten manuscript was thrown away because it was deemed no longer needed. Then Burhanuddin Mohammad Diah kept it as a personal document, after the formulation of the manuscript was read. In 1995, the original manuscript was submitted to President Soeharto, which is now stored in the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia.
The text of the proclamation was read at Soekarno’s residence at Pegangsaan Timur street number 56 (now Jalan Proklamasi), Jakarta. The reading was carried out directly by Soekarno at 10.00 WIB. The figures who attended the reading of the text of the proclamation were Ki Hajar Dewantara, Abikoesno Tjokrosoejoso, Buntaran Martoatmojo, AA Maramis, Latuharhary, Anwar Tjokroaminoto, Otto Iskandardinata, KH Mas Mansyur, Sayuti Melik, Moewardi, AG Pringgodigdo, and Soewirjo.
Maybe without the Rengasdengklok incident which was carried out by young people, the proclamation would never have materialized. Until now, the Rengasdengklok incident is interpreted as an event that shows that the struggle for independence is not far from debate and discussion, however, the most important thing is the unity of the same goal, namely fighting for the independence of the Republic of Indonesia.
Even though there are still many incidents that have occurred, until now Indonesia remains independent. The development from the beginning of independence to this moment is palpable. Indonesia which is now rich in natural resources, arts, customs, food and much more.
It is thanks to the warriors and heroes of old that we can experience Indonesia’s wealth to this day. Indonesian history will always be remembered and will continue to be studied. How great were the warriors and heroes of old to maintain the unity and unity of this Indonesian homeland.