Original Proclamation Manuscript Returned to ANRI

The returning process of the original proclamation manuscript at the ANRI building, Jakarta, Tuesday (18/8). (Photo: BPMI)

The Presidential Secretariat has announced it has handed back the original manuscript of the Proclamation, which was handwritten by the proclaimer as well as the first Indonesian President Soekarno, to the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia (ANRI).

The manuscript was displayed during the Commemoration Ceremony of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia at the Merdeka Palace on 17 August 2020.

“Alhamdulillah, this morning we handed over the original proclamation manuscript to the ANRI which we borrowed for the Independence Day ceremony. The document is certainly a very valuable historical document which has extraordinary value that we must preserve,” said Head of Administrative Bureau of Presidential Secretariat Ucu at the ANRI Building, Jakarta, Tuesday (18/8).

Before being returned, the laboratory team from the ANRI first verified the authenticity of the manuscript, he added.

“After being tested, the manuscript is the original manuscript that we brought to the Palace. This means that the Palace can maintain these historical documents properly as they should,” he explained.

The Main Secretary of the ANRI Imam Gunarto expressed appreciation to the Presidential Palace team for displaying the original handwritten archive of Soekarno during the Commemoration Ceremony of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia.

“On behalf of the ANRI, I would like to thank the Government for showcasing the original manuscript of the proclamation in a very important national event,” Imam said. (BPMI / EN)

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas