Chapter 4
Indonesia’s Proclamation and
The Effort of Building the
Nation’s Life
A. The proclamation of
Indonesia’s Independence
1. The background of BPUPKI
 Investigating
Committee for Preparatory Work for
Indonesian Independence (Indonesian: Badan Penyelidik
Usaha-usaha Persiapan Kemerdekaan Indonesia, BPUPKI) was
set up on 1st March 1945 by Japanese military authority.
 The
purpose was to study and investigate materials that
were needed to accomplish Indonesia’s independence.
 There were 63 members with Radjiman Wedyodiningrat as
the chairman and Raden Panji Suroso as the vice-chairman.
2. The plenary of BPUPKI
 The
first plenary was held on 29th May – 1st June
1945.
 The
purpose was to arrange the ideology of
Indonesia as an independent country.
 Three
figures were involved: Muhammad Yamin,
Soepomo and Soekarno.
 The second plenary was on 10th-16th July 1945.
2. The plenary of BPUPKI
 Muhammad
Yamin (29th May 1945): nationalism, humanity,
deity, democracy and social welfare.
 Soepomo
(30th May 1945): unity, kinship, inner balance,
deliberaton and people’s justice.
 Soekarno
(1st
June
1945):
Indonesian
nationality,
internationalism and humanity, socio-democracy, social
welfare and belief in the supreme God.
3. Committee of Nine (Panitia Sembilan)
 It
consisted of 9 members, with Soekarno as the
chairman.
 This
group included nationalists as well as Islamic
figures, and on June 22 produced a draft preamble
to the constitution including the wording of
Pancasila, which was called Jakarta Charter (Piagam
Jakarta).
4. The Background of PPKI
 Preparatory Committee for Indonesian
Independence (Indonesian: Panitia Persiapan Kemerdekaan
Indonesia), PPKI, was set up on 7th August 1945.
 The purpose was to establish and approve the draft constitution, which
was arranged by BPUPKI.
 Soekarno was the chairman and Mohammad Hatta was the vice-
chairman.
 On 9th August 1945, Soekarno, M. Hatta and R. Wedyodiningrat met
Commander Terauchi in Dalat, Vietnam.
independence would be granted through PPKI.
Japan
claimed
that
5. Rengasdengklok Incident
 The Rengasdengklok Incident (Indonesian: Peristiwa Rengasdengklok) was the
kidnapping of Sukarno and Hatta done by several youths (pemuda),
including Sukarni, Wikana, Aidit and Chairul Saleh. This incident occurred on August
16, 1945.
 The purpose of the kidnappings were:
● To urge Sukarno and Hatta to immediately convey the Proclamation of
Indonesian Independence because at that time there was a vacuum of power
due to Japan's surrender to the Allies.
● To keep Sukarno and Hatta away from Japanese influence.
● To show the proclamation as the struggle of the Indonesian people, that must be
immediately formulated and read.
● To prevent Indonesia from falling into the hands of the Allies because of the
vacuum of power from the Japanese side in Indonesia.
6. Proclamation of Indonesia’s Independence
 The
original plan was for the proclamation to be read in
public in Lapangan Ikada (now Lapangan Monas).
 However,
the Japanese authorities, fearing disorder,
deployed soldiers to the area, and as a result, the
proclamation was made at Sukarno's house at 56 Jalan
Pegangsaan Timur at 10.30.
 The
proclamation of Indonesia’s independence could be
accomplished due to effort of the people: Soekarno,
Mohammad Hatta, Soepomo, Mohammad Yamin and Sutan
Syahrir.