Bendera Pusaka

Hoisting of the original flag moments after the declaration of independence on 17 August 1945.

The Bendera Pusaka Sang Saka Merah Putih (English: The Sacred Red and White Heirloom Flag) was the first Indonesian flag. Sewn by Sukarno's wife Fatmawati, it was raised for the first time when Sukarno proclaimed Indonesia's independence on 17 August 1945. Although required by law to be housed in the National Monument, the flag is still kept at the Presidential Palace.

History

The Bendera Pusaka is raised for the first time

The Bendera Pusaka was sewn by Sukarno's wife Fatmawati.[1] It was based on a 13th-century Majapahit flag, which had nine stripes of red and white.[2]

It was first raised at Sukarno's house at 56 Pegangsaan Timur Street, Jakarta, after Sukarno read the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence.[3] It was hoisted on a short bamboo staff by a group led by Captain Latief Hendaningrat; after its hoisting, the gathered crowd sang "Indonesia Raya".[2][4]

During the first year of the Indonesian National Revolution, the Bendera Pusaka flew day and night. After the Dutch took Jakarta in 1946, the Bendera Pusaka was brought to Yogyakarta in Sukarno's briefcase. During Operatie Kraai, the Bendera Pusaka was cut in half and given to Indonesian composer Husein Mutahar for safekeeping; Mutahar was told to "protect the flag with [his] life". Despite being captured by and escaping from the Dutch, Mutahar managed to bring the flag to Jakarta, sew it back together, and turn it over to Soedjono. Soedjono later returned the flag to Sukarno, who was in exile in Bangka.[4]

After the end of the war, the Bendera Pusaka was raised once a year in front of the Presidential Palace during Independence Day celebrations.[1] However, due to the flag's fragile state, beginning in 1968 it has been replaced by a replica.[5]

In 2003, plans were released to relocate the Bendera Pusaka from the Presidential Palace to the National Monument. In 2004, the relocation was expected to cost Rp. 3.5 billion (US$388,889), with the flag being stored in a 24-karat gold-plated case within the Independence Room of the Monument.[6] However, the relocation has been consistently delayed.[7] As of 2009, its storage at the National Monument has been mandated by law.[3]

Description and symbolism

The Bendera Pusaka consists of two bands, red at the top and white at the bottom, at a scale of 2:3. The red stands for bravery (Indonesian: keberanian), while the white stands for purity (Indonesian: kesucian).[3] However, alternative meanings have been proposed, including that the red represents palm sugar and the white represents rice, both staples of Indonesian cuisine.[2]

Social impact

A Paskibraka troop in Aceh, during a flag ceremony

The Bendera Pusaka has been used in the name of the Indonesian student organization Pasukan Pengibar Bendera Pusaka (often abbreviated Paskibraka; English: Bendera Pusaka Flag Hoisting Troop). The organization, which was founded by Husein Mutahar in 1968, provides flag bearers for flag ceremonies in the local and national levels as well as in international functions for overseas Indonesians.[4] This organization has a national board - the National BPFHT Council (Purna Paskibraka Indonesia). Their best appearance is during the Independence Day commemorations every 17 August.

References

  1. 1 2 Torchia 2007, p. 142
  2. 1 2 3 Ian Macdonald (18 June 2010). "Indonesia". Flags of the World. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 "Undang-Undang Republik Indonesia Nomor 24 Tahun 2009 tentang Bendera, Bahasa, dan Lambang Negara serta Lagu Kebangsaaan" [Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 24 of the Year 2009 regarding the National Flag, Language, and Emblem as well as the National Anthem] (PDF) (in Indonesian). Indonesian National Government. 9 July 2002. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 "Sejarah Pembentukan Paskibraka" [History of the Formation of Paskibraka] (in Indonesian). Paskibraka. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
  5. ↑ International Business Publications 2008, p. 76
  6. ↑ Damar Harsanto (23 August 2004). "Monas to house historic flag". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
  7. ↑ Ruslan Burhani (16 May 2007). "Pemindahan Bendera Pusaka Ditunda hingga Agustus 2007" [Relocation of Bendera Pusaka Delayed until August 2007] (in Indonesian). ANTARA. Retrieved 12 July 2011.

Bibliography

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