National Archives keeps history alive
National Archives keeps history alive
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The paper looked no different than any common receipt, except
that the yellowed slip has "Government of Australia" as the
sender printed on it and the message is a diplomatic matter
supporting the independence of Indonesia.
Few realize that 60 years ago, diplomatic messages were sent
by the simple communication means of the telegraph.
Wired support from many countries, along with hundreds of
other documents, are on display at the National Archives building
in Central Jakarta to mark Independence Day.
"It is extremely difficult to familiarize people with the
archives," said the head of the conventional archive reproduction
division, Umar M. Jacub. "This exhibition aims to at least let
people know that these papers exist."
Every day from 9 p.m. to 2 p.m. until Aug. 18, the lobby of
the National Archives will be exhibiting materials ranging from
the unedited version of the Independence Proclamation to the
resignation of former president Soeharto.
"Our last exhibition in Jakarta was probably 10 years ago,"
Umar said, adding that his office had seen very little public
enthusiasm over the years.
Although official papers and photographs may be too boring for
some, they could actually make a history lesson more interesting.
Some 250 reproduced state documents, photographs and posters
at least give visitors a glimpse of the country's history and
development. Although -- due to limited space -- many important
events like the foiled coup attempt in 1965 and the 1998 riot are
not documented here.
Visitors can take a guided tour or simply follow the arrows on
the floor leading from one display to another that takes people
through the decades.
On the same board with the Independence Proclamation is the
original text of the national anthem, Indonesia Raya, in its full
three-passage version. Several interesting papers, like part of
the transcript of the Round Table Meeting and founding president
Sukarno's speech in front of the United Nations assembly, are
also worth viewing.
Those who are more into visuals might be more interested in
checking out photographs or posters.
They portray an array of events ranging from the birthday
parties of president Sukarno's and vice president Mohammad
Hatta's daughters -- now former president Megawati Soekarnoputri
and incumbent State Minister for Women's Empowerment Meutia Hatta
respectively -- to a dramatic photo of Sukarno hugging Gen.
Soedirman when the latter returned from battle.
The development of technology is also illustrated, by the
difference between the wired diplomatic messages and a display of
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's antidrug text message that
was recently sent to selected cellular phone owners. (003)