History of the Indonesian Proclamation of Independence

The Koiso Promise and Japanese Strategic Maneuvers in $1944$

By the end of $1944$, Japan's military position in the Greater East Asia War (Pacific War) was increasingly desperate as Allied forces managed to penetrate various Japanese defense lines. In response to this mounting pressure, Prime Minister Kuniaki Koiso addressed the Japanese Parliament (Teikoku Ginkai) on $07$ September $1944$. He issued an official statement declaring that Indonesia would be granted independence in the future. This move, known as the Koiso Promise, was a calculated strategy designed to secure the sympathy and cooperation of the Indonesian people and their leaders. The Japanese government hoped that by promising sovereignty, they could ensure the continued flow of Indonesian labor and material resources to support their failing war effort against the Allied powers.

Formation and Primary Objectives of the BPUPK

On $01$ March $1945$, the Japanese administration announced the formation of the Dokuritsu Junbi Cosakai, known in Indonesian as the Badan Penyelidik Usaha-Usaha Persiapan Kemerdekaan (BPUPK). The body was officially inaugurated on $29$ April $1945$, a date chosen to coincide with the birthday of Emperor Hirohito. The organization was headed by Dr. K.R.T. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat, with Ichibangase Yosio representing Japan and R.P. Soeroso serving as vice-chairmen. The body consisted of $67$ members. The primary mission of the BPUPK was to study and investigate fundamental matters related to the governance, economy, and political systems required to establish an independent Indonesian state.

The First BPUPK Session: Formulating the National Foundation

The first session of the BPUPK took place from $29$ May to $01$ June $1945$. During this period, three prominent figures proposed foundational principles for the upcoming state. On $29$ May $1945$, Moh. Yamin proposed five principles: Peri Kebangsaan (Nationalism), Peri Kemanusiaan (Humanitarianism), Peri Ketuhanan (Divinity), Peri Kerakyatan (Democracy), and Kesejahteraan Rakyat (Social Welfare). On $31$ May $1945$, Prof. Dr. Soepomo presented a theory of an integralist (unitary) state based on Persatuan (Unity), Kekeluargaan (Family Spirit), Keseimbangan lahir dan batin (Balance of physical and spiritual needs), Musyawarah (Deliberation), and Keadilan rakyat (Social Justice). Finally, on $01$ June $1945$, Ir. Soekarno delivered a speech outlining five principles he termed Pancasila: Kebangsaan Indonesia (Indonesian Nationalism), Internasionalisme atau Perikemanusiaan (Internationalism or Humanitarianism), Mufakat atau Demokrasi (Consensus or Democracy), Kesejahteraan Sosial (Social Welfare), and Ketuhanan yang Berkebudayaan (Belief in God with Culture). This date is now commemorated as the Birthday of Pancasila.

The Panitia Sembilan and the Jakarta Charter

Because the BPUPK had not yet reached a consensus on the state’s foundation due to differing views on the relationship between religion and the state, a smaller group called the Panitia Sembilan (Committee of Nine) was formed. The members were Ir. Soekarno (Chairman), Moh. Hatta, A.A. Maramis, Abikusno Tjokrosujoso, Abdulkahar Muzakir, H.A. Salim, Achmad Soebardjo, Wahid Hasjim, and Moh. Yamin. On $22$ June $1945$, they produced the Piagam Jakarta (Jakarta Charter), which served as a draft preamble to the Constitution. It contained the five principles of the state foundation, with the controversial first principle originally including an obligation for Muslims to practice Sharia law, which served as the precursor to the final Pancasila.

The Second BPUPK Session: Defining the State and Territory

The second session of the BPUPK was held from $10$ to $17$ July $1945$. During these meetings, the members voted to establish Indonesia as a Republic and a unitary state rather than a federation. They also reached an agreement on the national territory, which was to include the former Dutch East Indies (Hindia Belanda) plus Malaya, North Borneo, Papua, Portuguese Timor, and the surrounding islands. A Constitutional Drafting Committee, chaired by Ir. Soekarno, successfully completed the draft Constitution ($UUD$), utilizing the Jakarta Charter as its Preamble. Additionally, specific committees were formed for economy and finance (led by Moh. Hatta) and national defense (led by Abikusno Tjokrosujoso).

Formation of the PPK and the Collapse of Japan

The BPUPK was dissolved on $07$ August $1945$ after fulfilling its duties. In its place, the Dokuritsu Junbi Inkai, or Panitia Persiapan Kemerdekaan (PPK/PPKI), was formed with Ir. Soekarno as Chairman and Drs. Moh. Hatta as Vice-Chairman. Although formed with Japanese approval, Indonesian nationalist leaders intended to use the PPK as a tool for the people's struggle; Soekarno asserted that the committee could work independently of Japanese timing. Meanwhile, the global situation shifted rapidly when the United States dropped the "Little Boy" atomic bomb on Hiroshima on $06$ August $1945$, followed by the "Fat Man" bomb on Nagasaki on $09$ August $1945$. These attacks destroyed Japan's military hubs and morale, forcing their unconditional surrender and creating a unique opportunity for Indonesian independence.

The Dalat Meeting and the Vacuum of Power

On $09$ August $1945$, Soekarno, Hatta, and Radjiman Wedyodiningrat were flown secretly to Dalat, Vietnam. On $12$ August $1945$, Marshal Terauchi, the Supreme Commander of Japanese Forces in Southeast Asia, informed them that Japan had decided to grant Indonesia independence, leaving the execution to the PPK. The leaders returned to Indonesia on $14$ August $1945$, but the youth groups were skeptical, rejecting the idea of independence as a "gift" from Japan. On $15$ August $1945$, Emperor Hirohito broadcast the Gyokuon-hoso Declaration, officially surrendering to the Allies. While the Japanese military in Indonesia tried to keep this secret to maintain the status quo as ordered by the Allies, Sutan Sjahrir learned of it via the $BBC$ London. This created a vacuum of power where no sovereign government was effectively in control.

The Rengasdengklok Incident

A sharp divide emerged between the "Old Generation" (Soekarno, Hatta, and colleagues), who wanted to act cautiously through the PPK to avoid a bloody conflict with the remaining Japanese military, and the "Young Generation" (Sjahrir, Wikana, Chaerul Saleh, Sukarni, etc.), who demanded an immediate and revolutionary proclamation independent of any Japanese-made bodies. In the early hours of $16$ August $1945$, the youth leaders, including Shodanco Singgih and Sukarni, kidnapped Soekarno (along with Fatmawati and their infant son Guntur) and Moh. Hatta, taking them to Rengasdengklok, Karawang. The intent was to isolate them from Japanese influence. Negotiation efforts by Achmad Soebardjo and Laksamana Tadashi Maeda eventually led to their release. Soebardjo guaranteed with his own life that the proclamation would occur no later than $17$ August $1945$, and the leaders were brought back to Jakarta that evening.

Drafting the Proclamation at Maeda's Residence

Upon returning to Jakarta, Soekarno and Hatta sought confirmation of Japan's surrender. While Japanese army officials like Mayjen Moichiro Yamamoto and Mayjen Otoshi Nishimura refused to grant official permission, Nishimura hinted that the Indonesians could act on their own without official Japanese involvement. The drafting of the proclamation took place at the house of Rear Admiral Tadashi Maeda at Jl. Imam Bonjol No. $1$, which was chosen for its safety from Japanese Army (Rikugun) intervention, as Maeda belonged to the Navy (Kaigun). From approximately $02.00$ to $04.00$ WIB on $17$ August $1945$, Soekarno, Hatta, and Ahmad Soebardjo composed the text. Subardjo contributed the first sentence regarding the statement of independence, and Hatta contributed the second sentence regarding the transfer of power. The draft was typed by Sayuti Melik on a typewriter borrowed from a German source (since Japanese typewriters only had Kanji), with minor linguistic changes: "tempoh" became "tempo," and the signature block was changed to "Atas nama bangsa Indonesia" followed by Soekarno and Hatta.

The Proclamation Ceremony on $17$ August $1945$

The proclamation of independence was held on Friday Legi, $17$ August $1945$, at $10.00$ WIB. The venue was Ir. Soekarno's home at Jl. Pegangsaan Timur No. $56$, Jakarta, after plans to use Ikada Field were scrapped to avoid military clashes. The ceremony consisted of a short speech by Soekarno, the reading of the Proclamation text, and the raising of the Red and White flag (sewn by Mrs. Fatmawati) by Latief Hendraningrat, Suhud, and SK Trimurti, accompanied by the national anthem, Indonesia Raya. The text of the proclamation read: "Kami bangsa Indonesia dengan ini menyatakan kemerdekaan Indonesia. Hal-hal yang mengenai pemindahan kekuasaan dan lain-lain diselenggarakan dengan cara seksama dan dalam tempo yang sesingkat-singkatnya. Jakarta, hari $17$ bulan $8$ tahun $1945$. Atas nama bangsa Indonesia, Soekarno – Hatta."

PPK Sessions and the Legal Formation of the State

Post-proclamation, the PPK held several sessions to meet the requirements of the Montevideo Convention of $1933$ for statehood: people, territory, a sovereign government, and international recognition. On $18$ August $1945$, the first session of the PPK ratified the $1945$ Constitution ($UUD$ $1945$), officially appointed Soekarno and Hatta as President and Vice-President, and formed a National Committee to assist the President. On $19$ August $1945$, the second session divided the country into $8$ provinces: Sumatera (Teuku Mohammad Hasan), Jawa Barat (Sutardjo Kartohadikusumo), Jawa Tengah (R. Panji Suroso), Jawa Timur (R.M. Suryo), Sunda Kecil (I Gusti Ketut Pudja), Maluku (Mr. J. Latuharhary), Sulawesi (G.S.S.J. Ratulangi), and Kalimantan (Ir. Pangeran Mohammad Noor). A presidential cabinet of $12$ departments and $4$ state ministers was also established.

The First Presidential Cabinet ($1945$)

The administrative structure of the transition government included the following appointments: A.A. Maramis (Finance), Abikusno Tjokrosujoso (Transportation and Public Works), Prof. Dr. Mr. Soepomo (Justice), Ki Hajar Dewantara (Education), Mr. Achmad Soebardjo (Foreign Affairs), R.A.A. Wiranata Kusumah (Internal Affairs), Mr. Iwa Kusuma Sumantri (Social Affairs), Dr. Buntaran Martoatmojo (Health), Ir. Surachman Tjokroadisurjo (Prosperity), Soeprijadi (People's Security), and Mr. Amir Syarifudin (Information). Additionally, non-departmental ministers included R. Otto Iskandardinata, Wachid Hasjim, Mr. R. M. Sartono, and Dr. M. Amir.

Institutional Strengthening and News Dissemination

On $22$ August $1945$, the third PPK session established the Komite Nasional Indonesia Pusat (KNIP) as a temporary parliament, planned the Partai Nasional Indonesia (PNI) as a single state party (later changed to a multi-party system), and formed the Badan Keamanan Rakyat (BKR) for public security. Meanwhile, the news of independence was spread through various channels despite Japanese censorship. Syahruddin smuggled the text to the Domei news agency, where F. Wuz broadcast it. Newspapers like Soeara Asia and Tjahaja published it on $18$ August $1945$. Regional messengers like Teuku Mohammad Hasan and G.S.S.J. Ratulangi took the news to their provinces, while youth groups used graffiti on trains and pamphlets to declare "Merdeka atau Mati!" (Freedom or Death!).

Public Support and the Meaning of independence

The proclamation triggered massive public support, exemplified by the Raksasa Ikada Meeting on $19$ September $1945$, where hundreds of thousands gathered at the present-day Monas site. Other acts of defiance included the incident at Hotel Yamato, where youth tore the blue strip off the Dutch flag to make it Red and White. On $05$ September $1945$, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX and Paku Alam VIII declared that the Sultanate of Yogyakarta would join the Republic of Indonesia. Philosophically, the proclamation marked the end of colonial law and the birth of Indonesian National Law ($UUD$ $1945$). It was the culmination of centuries of struggle and a declaration to the world that Indonesia was a sovereign, dignified nation, free to determine its own destiny.