| Merdeka Palace | |
|---|---|
Istana Merdeka | |
 The front facade of the Merdeka Palace | |
 | |
| Former names | Paleis te Koningsplein |
| General information | |
| Type | Official residence |
| Architectural style | Indies Empire style |
| Location | Jalan Medan Merdeka Utara Gambir, Central Jakarta,Indonesia |
| Coordinates | 06°10′13″S106°49′27″E / 6.17028°S 106.82417°E /-6.17028; 106.82417 |
| Current tenants | President of Indonesia |
| Construction started | 1873 |
| Completed | 1879 |
| Client | Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies |
| Owner | Government of Indonesia |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Jacobus Bartholomeus Drossaers |
TheMerdeka Palace (Indonesian:Istana Merdeka; also known in Indonesian asIstana Gambir and during the Dutch colonial times asPaleis te Koningsplein), is one of seven presidential palaces in Indonesia. It is located on the north side of theMerdeka Square inCentral Jakarta,Indonesia, and was used as theofficial residence of thepresident of the Republic of Indonesia.
The palace was a residence for thegovernor-general of the Dutch East Indies during the colonial era. In 1949, the palace was renamed Merdeka Palace, "(ke)merdeka(an)" meaning "freedom" or "independence".
The Merdeka Palace is part of the 6.8 ha (17 acres) Jakarta Presidential Palace Complex, which also includes theNegara Palace, Wisma Negara (state guest house), Sekretariat Negara (State Secretariat), and the Bina Graha building.[1] It is the center of the Indonesianexecutive authority.[2]
The building that is now the Merdeka Palace was built on the premise of the Rijswijk Palace (presentIstana Negara) when it was considered no longer sufficient for administrative purposes e.g. big receptions and conferences during the mid-19th century. In 1869, the instruction to construct a new palace was given by Governor-GeneralPieter Mijer. Construction took place on the south lawn of the Rijswijk Palace on 23 March 1873 during the tenure of Governor-GeneralJames Loudon.
The Neo-Palladian palace was designed by Jacobus Bartholomeus Drossaers and was built by the Department of Public Works and the contracting firm Drossaers & Company forƒ 360,000. The new building was built in the southern part of the Rijswijk Palace grounds, directly facing Koningsplein (nowMerdeka Square).
Construction of the palace was finished in 1879 during the tenure of Governor-GeneralJohan Wilhelm van Lansberge. The new palace was given the official namePaleis van de Gouverneur Generaal ("Palace of the Governor-General"), the official residence of thegovernor-general of the Dutch East Indies and his family.[3][4]
Governor-GeneralJohan Wilhelm van Lansberge (1875–1881) was the first to reside in the building.[5] Governor-GeneralTjarda van Starkenborgh Stachouwer (1936–1942) was the last Dutch governor-general to reside in the Palace.
During theJapanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies (1942–1945), the Army Commander (Japanese:最高指揮官,romanized: saikō shiki-kan,lit. 'Commander-in-chief') of the Japanese garrison resided in the Rijswijk Palace compound. Three Japanese commanders have taken residence in the Merdeka Palace.[3][4]
TheIndonesian National Revolution (1945–1949) ended with the Netherlands' recognition of the Republic of Indonesia. The Indonesian declaration of independence from the Dutch in 1949 was announced in Gambir Palace. During the ceremony, the Dutch flag was substituted with theflag of Indonesia. Many spectators were rejoicing when the flag was hoisted, and yelled "Merdeka! (Freedom!)". From that moment, Gambir Palace became known as Merdeka Palace.[4]Tony Lovink, the high commissioner of the Dutch Crown was the last man representing the Dutch power to leave the palace.[5] The name of the palace officially changed to Istana Merdeka ("Indendepence Palace") on 28 December 1949 at 17.55 hours.[5]
On 27 December 1949, a day after the ceremony, PresidentSukarno and his family arrived fromYogyakarta. For the first time, the president of the Republic of Indonesia settled in Merdeka Palace.
The first annual Independence Day ceremony was held at the Merdeka Palace in 1950.
The building has remained unchanged since the building was finished in 1879.[4] After the Indonesian independence, the Merdeka Palace compound was expanded to include not onlyIstana Negara (State Palace), but also to construct Wisma Negara, Sekretariat Negara (State Sectreatiat), and Bina Graha. Several colonial buildings and residences were demolished in the Weltevreden area to make way for today's State Palace compound.
A small octagonalgazebo located in the courtyard of the palace was used as a private school forSukarno's and the palace staff's children. This gazebo was previously used by Dutch colonial officials asmuziekkoepel (music gazebo), where music performances were played during formalballs.[6]
WhenSuharto became president of Indonesia, he made changes to the previously residential function of the palace. Sukarno's bedroom was converted into Ruang Bendera Pusaka (Regalia Room) and the room of Sukarno's wife Fatmawati became the president's bedroom.[3] An old wooden building in the palace complex known as "Sanggar" was demolished to make way for the Puri Bhakti Renatama building, and was used as a museum to store valuable artifacts, artwork, and gifts from foreign emissaries. Later[when?] he also built the Bina Graha building on the palace grounds, which he used as his office.[3]
WhenMegawati took office, the Puri Bhakti Renatama building was converted into the President's office, while its contents moved to the Bina Graha building. She also restored the furniture and decorations of the palace to the way it was under Sukarno. Suharto's Jeparawood carving furniture was removed, except the Ruang Jepara (Jepara Room, as a reminder of Suharto's regime), and replaced with the old colonial refurbishment.[3]
The Merdeka Palace serves as an official venue for state events such as the Independence Day ceremony, welcoming (foreign) dignitaries, cabinet meetings, state banquets, and reception of letters of credence from foreign ambassadors. Additionally, it still contains the president's private quarters and offices.
The administrative role that the palace once had, has been shifted to the State Palace and State Secretariat, while the Merdeka Palace remains a symbol of authority.
A 17 m tall flagpole and a fountain are located on the front lawn of the Merdeka Palace. The annual flag-raising ceremony takes place during Indonesian Independence Day on 17 August. During the Independence ceremony, theveranda is often used as a ceremonial stage for the President and dignitaries.[3]
Notable rooms in the Palace include:
The presidents after Sukarno no longer use the palace as a residence, although it is still the official presidential residence. The palace's offices are still in use by the current Indonesian president. During theSuharto administration, Suharto preferred to reside in his house at Jalan Cendana,Menteng, while the palace and Bina Graha only served as his office. The palace once again became the official presidential residence during theAbdurrahman Wahid andMegawati administrations.Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono sometimes resides in Merdeka Palace, however just like Suharto, he often prefers to reside in his own house, at Puri Cikeas, Gunung Putri district of Bogor Regency – West Java, south of Jakarta.[7] The 7th former presidentJoko Widodo preferred to live inIstana Bogor.
Since 17 July 2016, thechanging of the guard ceremony by thePaspampres has been opened to the public. It is held at 8 am on every last Sunday of the month in front of the palace yard.[8]
06°10′13″S106°49′27″E / 6.17028°S 106.82417°E /-6.17028; 106.82417
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