Why Did Sukarno Demolish the Proclamation House?

The Proclamation House located at Jalan Pegangsaan Timur No. 56, Menteng, Central Jakarta, is one of the most historic sites in Indonesia’s journey. It was here that Sukarno read the Independence Proclamation text on 17 August 1945 alongside Mohammad Hatta. However, this historic building was demolished on 27 August 1950. To this day, the exact reason for its demolition remains debated among historians and heritage enthusiasts.

The reason for Sukarno’s demolition of the Proclamation House can be traced to a book titled ‘Pengkajian Data Kawasan Menteng, Gedung-gedung yang Terkait dengan Peristiwa Proklamasi’ published by the Ministry of Education and Culture. Historian Rusdhy Hoesein, who visited Sukarno’s house on Pegangsaan Timur as a child, suggested the demolition was likely linked to plans to build the Gedung Pola or Gedung Perintis Kemerdekaan behind the house. According to Rusdhy, the house was considered to obstruct the view from the front of the intended building.

Another reason for the demolition was explained by architect and heritage advocate Bambang Eryudhawan. According to Bambang, the decision was tied to Sukarno’s broader national development plans in the late 1950s. He noted that Sukarno, along with fighters and regional representatives, held a National Consultation that produced a ‘Joint Statement’ on 14 September 1957, signed by Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta. Shortly after, Indonesia faced the PRRI/Permesta rebellion. In response, the government established the National Planning Council to formulate the country’s major development direction. Project A covered essential community infrastructure, while Project B involved managing Indonesia’s natural resources to fund development. This large-scale initiative was widely known by the slogan ‘Maju Terus Pembangunan Semesta Berentjana’.