Why demolished?

Why demolished?

From Media Indonesia

Historical facts show that the Proclamation building, situated at 56 Jl. Pegangsaan Timur, Jakarta, is where Bung Karno, flanked by Bung Hatta, proclaimed Indonesia's independence, on Friday, Aug. 17, 1945, at 10 a.m.

This building has been demolished without good reasons. As we all know the proclamation of independence was a momentum which had strategic value and historical caliber, so time and place are inseparable. Therefore, we should have preserved the building as a historical fact, which serves as a witness for the nation's struggle.

I am afraid our future generations would ask: "Is it true that the text of the proclamation was read by Bung Karno in that building?"

As many buildings of historical values in Jakarta are preserved, for the same reason, I would like to propose that a new proclamation building be built to resemble the original one.

H. PADMANAGARA

Jakarta