Hundreds of Thousands Flock to Jakarta to Witness President's State Address
The Indonesian President’s state address every 16–17 August has become one of the moments awaited by the public. In the Soekarno era, the speech was even able to attract hundreds of thousands of citizens to come and crowd the Merdeka Palace area.
For Soekarno, the state address was not merely a text to be read before the people. The speech was a form of accountability by a president for the policies he had made.
On that basis, Soekarno always took the drafting of his speech seriously, writing it himself, although he still received assistance from a special team. He could even spend hours or a full day composing the speech using various reading materials.
“That was the only time I saw BK able to spend hours alone in his room, fully concentrating on pouring what was in his heart and mind into writing,” said Bambang, as quoted from Sewindu dekat Bung Karno (1988).
That seriousness also made Soekarno’s speeches always eagerly awaited by the public. His ability to deliver a speech even made citizens willing to jostle with one another just to hear it in person.
Koran Merdeka (18 August 1955), for example, recorded that hundreds of thousands of citizens crowded the Merdeka Palace area during the celebration of the 10th anniversary of Indonesian independence. At that time, Soekarno delivered a state address titled “Tetap Terbanglah Rajawali” (Keep Flying, Eagle), which reflected on one decade of independence.
“Before hundreds of thousands of people who flooded the square in front of the Merdeka Palace and guests seated on the veranda and grounds of the presidency, President Soekarno, in the ceremony commemorating the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence yesterday morning, delivered his speech, which received a very warm reception from his listeners,” wrote Koran Merdeka (18 August 1955).
Similar enthusiasm was seen again several years later. In Merdeka’s report (18 August 1960), for instance, thousands of citizens again came and crowded the Merdeka Palace area to listen to Soekarno’s speech.
According to Tjipta Lesmana in Dari Soekarno sampai SBY: Intrik & Lobi Politik Para Penguasa (2008), Soekarno’s ability to captivate listeners was one of the reasons his speeches always attracted attention.
His speeches were often delivered with great passion. This was further strengthened by Soekarno’s imposing physical presence, his fresh and steady voice, and his attention-grabbing gestures. He often pointed his finger while shouting when delivering a speech. In addition, the proclaimer was also clever and highly experienced.
“Why was Bung Karno ever ‘confident’ every time he gave a speech? Because he was also rich in knowledge and experience of struggle,” he said.
That ability made Soekarno known not only as a president, but also as a figure capable of moving the masses through words. The state address, which he composed with full concentration, then became an important part of his leadership style.
Soekarno’s own rule ended in 1966. After that, the figure nicknamed the “Lion of the Podium” stepped down and was replaced by Soeharto.