Indonesian Independence Day

Indonesia celebrates its Independence day today August 17th. All around the country government offices and banks are closed and there are local celebrations. Last night in Java, Ika’s relatives gathered with the rest of the kampung to enjoy outdoor celebrations until 4am, my father in-law sharing the half bottle of Myers rum with his friends, which apparently went down a treat.

In the capital Jakarta today ceremonies were held to commemorate this unifying day of pride for the nation. Indonesian independence came about in the mid 20th Century after the struggle with the Dutch, who had been coming to Indonesia since the late 16th Century.

Various European nations including France and Britain had control of Java and other parts of Indonesia at some time, but it was the Dutch who finally took control of the East Indies in the 19th Century. Local resistance to the militarily superior outsiders was futile and Balinese history documents violent confrontations between the Balinese and Dutch forces, including the Puputan in Denpasar and the last stand of hero Ngurah Rai at Marga in Tabanan. The main factor contributing to independence from the Dutch and to Indonesia becoming a nation was WWII.

The Japanese navy reached Sanur on the south coast of Bali on February 18th 1942. Java and Sumatra were under Japanese control by March 9th 1942. The Japanese successes showed the local population that the Dutch were not invicible and 3 days after the Japanese surrender on August 17th 1945, President Sukarno made the Declaration of Independence announcement. The Dutch were having none of it and returned in March 1946. Dutch administration returned to Indonesia, but the international political climate had changed. The US was uncomfortable that the Dutch were diverting Marshall Plan funds to run their colony and the UN Security Council voted in January 1949 to tell the Dutch the game was up. The United States of Indonesia came into existence in December 1949, to be replaced by the Republic of Indonesia in 1950.

Many people will have the day off today around the country, with village events and award presentations. Today will be a day of celebration, visiting relatives and reflecting on history for many Indonesians.