THE ORIGIN OF THE INDONESIAN FLAG
The Indonesian flag has philosophical meaning. Red means
courage, while white means purity.The Red and White Flag of the Country is rectangular with a
width of 2/3 (two-thirds) of the length and the top is red and the bottom is
white with both parts the same size.
The Heirloom Flag of the Saka Merah Putih is the name for
the first Indonesian flag. The Pusaka flag was made by Mrs. Fatmawati, the wife
of President Soekarno.
Although the Bendera Pusaka was supposed to be kept at the National Monument,
Bendera Pusaka was still kept at
the State Palace.
The Pusaka flag was first raised at the Proclamation of
Indonesian Independence on August 17, 1945.
The first Pusaka flag was raised at Soekarno's house on
Jalan Pengangsaan Timur 56, Jakarta, after Soekarno read the Proclamation of
Indonesian Independence. The flag was raised on a bamboo pole by Paskibraka
led by Captain Latief Hendraningrat. After being raised, the song
"Indonesia Raya" was then sung together. In the first year of the Indonesian National Revolution,
the Heritage Flag was raised day and night. After the Dutch took control of
Jakarta in 1946, the Pusaka Flag was brought to Yogyakarta in Soekarno's
suitcase. When the Operatie Kraai occurred, the Heritage Flag was cut in half
and given to Husein Mutahar for safekeeping. Mutahar is required to "keep
the flag with life". Although he was later arrested and fled from the
Dutch army, Mutahar succeeded in bringing him back to Jakarta, sewing again,
and giving it to Soedjono. Soedjono then took his flag to Soekarno, who was in
exile in Bangka.
After the war ended, the Heritage Flag was always raised
once in front of the State Palace on Independence Day.
