Today we witness one more journey of the Indonesian nation, that the ANRI has stored, maintained and saved the state archives in the form of Mr Soekarno's handwriting, on the proclamation statement that is handed over to us, the Presidential Secretar
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The original text of the proclamation written by the hands of the late Soekarno will be presented at the Commemoration Ceremony of Indonesia's Proclamation of Independence scheduled to be held at the Merdeka Palace, here on Monday.

The National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia (ANRI) handed over the historic archive with the Presidential Secretariat on Sunday, to be displayed on the podium of honor during the ceremony at the Merdeka Palace courtyard.

"Today we witness one more journey of the Indonesian nation, that the ANRI has stored, maintained and saved the state archives in the form of Mr Soekarno's handwriting, on the proclamation statement that is handed over to us, the Presidential Secretariat," said Deputy for Palace Administration and Management of the Presidential Secretariat Rika Kiswardani in a statement received here, Sunday.

After the handover, the original text of the proclamation will be taken from the depot of ANRI's static archive to the Palace by the Presidential Secretariat personnel.

The historic documents will then be handed back to ANRI on Tuesday, August 18, for the most appropriate storage and care.

"Inshaa Allah (God willing), on August 18 we will return it to get the best treatment at ANRI," Kiswardani said.

She further mentioned that this year's Independence Day commemoration would be one that is different from the previous ones.

"Hopefully we can become witnesses and be involved in the path of history as this year's independence anniversary commemoration is different. Communities can follow (the ceremony) virtually on television stations or the Internet," she said.

Citing ANRI's press release as of August 16, the ANRI has kept the original text of the proclamation in a special storage room since 1992.

Based on historical records, the manuscript was saved and kept by B.M. Diah, a press figure and freedom fighter, and was then handed over to the second president of the Republic of Indonesia H.M. Soeharto. It was then passed on to the Minister of State Secretary for the period of 1988 to 1998, Moerdiono.

Moerdiono submitted the manuscript to ANRI in 1992 to be kept and cared for properly.

Since then, ANRI has kept the original text of the proclamation written by the hands of the proclamator and the first president of Indonesia, Soekarno.


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Translator: Indra Arief Pribadi/Aria Cindy
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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