Who Were the Figures Behind the Formulation of the Proclamation Text? Here is the List
The Proclamation of Indonesian Independence is one of the historical records that holds significant meaning for the nation’s journey. The reading of the text marked the birth of Indonesia as an independent state and the end of the colonial era.
According to information from the Encyclopedia of Indonesian History (ESI) by the Ministry of Education and Culture, the situation leading up to the proclamation became increasingly tense on the night of 16 August 1945.
News of Japan’s defeat in the Second World War prompted a group of youths to urge Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta to immediately declare Indonesia’s independence.
The youths wanted the proclamation to be carried out without waiting for a decision or approval from the Japanese government. After lengthy negotiations and discussions, it was finally agreed that the proclamation would be read the following day.
In the process of drafting the text, Ir. Soekarno and Drs. Mohammad Hatta were the two main figures directly involved. Both composed the proclamation text with the support of several other figures who also played a role in the process.
The drafting took place at the residence of Admiral Tadashi Maeda in Jakarta. The three figures who formulated the concept of the text were Soekarno, Mohammad Hatta, and Ahmad Soebardjo, while Sayuti Melik typed the text after the formulation was agreed upon.
So, who were the figures who helped draft the text of the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence besides Soekarno and Hatta? The following is an explanation.
- Soekarno
Soekarno was the figure who wrote the concept of the Proclamation text. During the drafting process, he wrote down the ideas that had been discussed with Mohammad Hatta and Ahmad Soebardjo.
The handwritten concept was then agreed upon as the basis for the Proclamation text read on 17 August 1945. Soekarno was also the figure who read the Proclamation of Independence at Jalan Pegangsaan Timur Number 56, Jakarta.
- Mohammad Hatta
Mohammad Hatta contributed his thoughts to the drafting of the Proclamation text. Together with Ahmad Soebardjo, he conveyed ideas orally while Soekarno wrote the concept of the text.
Hatta was also involved in formulating the part of the text relating to the transfer of power. After the text was completed, he accompanied Soekarno in reading the Proclamation on 17 August 1945.
- Ahmad Soebardjo
Ahmad Soebardjo was a figure directly involved in formulating the concept of the Proclamation.
He contributed ideas to the drafting of the first sentence of the Proclamation text. Previously, Soebardjo also played a role in bringing Soekarno and Hatta back from Rengasdengklok to Jakarta so that the process of drafting the Proclamation could continue.
After arriving in Jakarta, Soebardjo asked permission from Admiral Tadashi Maeda for his house to be used as a meeting place to discuss preparations for the Proclamation.
- Sayuti Melik
Sayuti Melik was not among the three figures who drafted the initial concept of the Proclamation text. However, he played an important role in the final stage of drafting the text.
After Soekarno’s handwritten concept was agreed upon, Sayuti Melik typed the text. During the typing process, several editorial changes were made to the initial concept before the text was ultimately used in the reading of the Proclamation.
- Fatmawati
Fatmawati was Soekarno’s wife, and she also played a role in the historic moment of Indonesia’s proclamation of independence. She is known for sewing the sacred Red and White flag that was raised during the ceremony and the reading of the proclamation text on 17 August 1945.
- Admiral Tadashi Maeda
Admiral Tadashi Maeda was not a drafter of the Proclamation text, but his residence played an important role in the process.
Maeda’s house at Jalan Imam Bonjol Number 1 was used as the place where the concept of the text was formulated on the night of 16 August until the early hours of 17 August 1945. Maeda provided the venue for Indonesian figures to discuss preparations for independence.
The house is now known as the Museum of the Formulation of the Proclamation Text.
- Sukarni
Sukarni was one of the youth figures who played a role in the series of events leading up to the Proclamation. He was among the youths who urged that Indonesia’s independence be proclaimed immediately after Japan surrendered to the Allies.
After the text had been typed, Sukarni proposed that the Proclamation text be signed by Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta on behalf of the Indonesian nation. The proposal was then agreed upon.
The process of drafting the Proclamation text
The drafting of the Proclamation text was carried out after Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta returned to Jakarta from Rengasdengklok on 16 August 1945.
At Admiral Maeda’s residence, Soekarno, Hatta, and Ahmad Soebardjo formulated the concept of the text. Soekarno wrote the concept, while Hatta and Soebardjo provided ideas orally.
After the concept was agreed upon, Sayuti Melik typed it. The typed text then became the text used in the reading of the Proclamation of Independence on the morning of 17 August 1945.
Thus, the drafting of the Proclamation text involved a number of figures with different roles. Soekarno, Mohammad Hatta, and Ahmad Soebardjo were the main figures in formulating the concept, Sayuti Melik typed the text, Admiral Maeda provided the venue, while Sukarni played a role in proposing the signing of the text on behalf of the Indonesian nation.