Indonesia\u2019s 5th President and PDI Perjuangan (PDIP) Chairwoman\nMegawati Soekarnoputri frequently shouts the word \u2018Merdeka\u2019 (Freedom) at\nvarious events. So what is the story behind Megawati\u2019s frequent cry of\n\u2018Merdeka\u2019?<\/p>\n
The story about Megawati frequently shouting \u2018Merdeka\u2019 was shared by\nher while leading the 81st Independence Day ceremony at the PDIP Party\nSchool in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta, on Monday (17\/8\/2026).\nInitially, Megawati said she felt belittled by some parties for often\nshouting \u2018Merdeka\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy is it that when I often shout the word \u2018Merdeka\u2019, I am mocked?\n\u2018We are already independent but still shouting Merdeka\u2019,\u201d Megawati said\nin her speech before PDIP cadres on Monday (17\/8\/2026).<\/p>\n
She then explained the history behind the spirited cry. She admitted\nshe had once asked the independence fighters who often gathered at the\nMerdeka Palace when her father, Soekarno, served as President of\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
\u201cActually, I received input from the fighters who at that time often\ngathered at the Merdeka Palace when my father was still president,\u201d\nMegawati said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI asked, \u2018Why must we shout Merdeka, Merdeka?\u2019 Oh, because at that\ntime we already had the determination that \u2018if we are not free, it is\nbetter to die\u2019. That is why when we met each other, one would say\n\u2018Merdeka\u2019, and the other would say \u2018death\u2019,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n
However, because Indonesia has now achieved its independence,\nMegawati stressed that the cry of \u2018Merdeka\u2019 must be answered with the\nsame spirit.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut after we became independent, then \u2018Merdeka\u2019 must be answered\nwith \u2018Merdeka!\u2019 Do not forget that. Are you willing to be colonised\nagain?\u201d Megawati asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d the ceremony participants answered in unison.<\/p>\n
Still on the same occasion, Megawati urged that this spirit be spread\nto those closest to us. She reminded that independence was achieved\nthrough enormous sacrifice.<\/p>\n
\u201cTell this to your families, to your friends. For that reason, we\nmust always love the beloved Republic of Indonesia,\u201d Megawati said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTherefore, brothers and sisters, the blood of the fighters, the\nhopes of the people, and the ideals passed down from one generation to\nthe next must continue to burn in our chests and hearts,\u201d she\nasserted.<\/p>\n
For her, the 17 August commemoration is not merely a ceremonial\nflag-raising. Instead, she asked Indonesians to reflect once again on\nthe direction of the nation\u2019s goals so as not to become trapped by\npersonal interests.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must ask ourselves, what is the meaning of independence? What did\nwe become independent for? Are we willing to be colonised again? Three\nand a half centuries \u2014 I imagine how the mothers at that time must have\nfelt afraid because their husbands went off to become fighters,\u201d\nMegawati said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThree and a half centuries is not a short time. Imagine that we are\nnow celebrating 81 years of our independence, and where will we take the\nIndonesian nation? Let us not play around just for our own amusement,\u201d\nshe continued.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Megawati also emphasised the importance of a nation\nhaving the courage to look at its own history honestly, both the bitter\nand the sweet. She does not want Indonesia to become a small-minded\nnation because it is afraid to face its own history.<\/p>\n
\u201cFellow countrymen and compatriots, a great nation is a nation that\ndares to look at its own history. Not only the beautiful history, but\nalso the bitter history. Not only the proud history, but also the\nhistory that leaves questions,\u201d she added.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-story-behind-megawatis-frequent-merdeka-cry-1786981974", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }