The Story Behind Megawati's Frequent 'Merdeka' Cry

Indonesia’s 5th President and PDI Perjuangan (PDIP) Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri frequently shouts the word ‘Merdeka’ (Freedom) at various events. So what is the story behind Megawati’s frequent cry of ‘Merdeka’?

The story about Megawati frequently shouting ‘Merdeka’ was shared by her while leading the 81st Independence Day ceremony at the PDIP Party School in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta, on Monday (17/8/2026). Initially, Megawati said she felt belittled by some parties for often shouting ‘Merdeka’.

“Why is it that when I often shout the word ‘Merdeka’, I am mocked? ‘We are already independent but still shouting Merdeka’,” Megawati said in her speech before PDIP cadres on Monday (17/8/2026).

She then explained the history behind the spirited cry. She admitted she had once asked the independence fighters who often gathered at the Merdeka Palace when her father, Soekarno, served as President of Indonesia.

“Actually, I received input from the fighters who at that time often gathered at the Merdeka Palace when my father was still president,” Megawati said.

“I asked, ‘Why must we shout Merdeka, Merdeka?’ Oh, because at that time we already had the determination that ‘if we are not free, it is better to die’. That is why when we met each other, one would say ‘Merdeka’, and the other would say ‘death’,” she continued.

However, because Indonesia has now achieved its independence, Megawati stressed that the cry of ‘Merdeka’ must be answered with the same spirit.

“But after we became independent, then ‘Merdeka’ must be answered with ‘Merdeka!’ Do not forget that. Are you willing to be colonised again?” Megawati asked.

“No,” the ceremony participants answered in unison.

Still on the same occasion, Megawati urged that this spirit be spread to those closest to us. She reminded that independence was achieved through enormous sacrifice.

“Tell this to your families, to your friends. For that reason, we must always love the beloved Republic of Indonesia,” Megawati said.

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, the blood of the fighters, the hopes of the people, and the ideals passed down from one generation to the next must continue to burn in our chests and hearts,” she asserted.

For her, the 17 August commemoration is not merely a ceremonial flag-raising. Instead, she asked Indonesians to reflect once again on the direction of the nation’s goals so as not to become trapped by personal interests.

“We must ask ourselves, what is the meaning of independence? What did we become independent for? Are we willing to be colonised again? Three and a half centuries — I imagine how the mothers at that time must have felt afraid because their husbands went off to become fighters,” Megawati said.

“Three and a half centuries is not a short time. Imagine that we are now celebrating 81 years of our independence, and where will we take the Indonesian nation? Let us not play around just for our own amusement,” she continued.

Furthermore, Megawati also emphasised the importance of a nation having the courage to look at its own history honestly, both the bitter and the sweet. She does not want Indonesia to become a small-minded nation because it is afraid to face its own history.

“Fellow countrymen and compatriots, a great nation is a nation that dares to look at its own history. Not only the beautiful history, but also the bitter history. Not only the proud history, but also the history that leaves questions,” she added.