JAKARTA, OMIKAMI-TV - The Indonesian National Flag (abbreviated as the state flag) or also commonly called Sang Merah Putih, Sang Saka Merah Putih, Merah Putih, or sometimes Sang Dwiwarna (two colors) is the flag of the Indonesian state. The national flag is rectangular in shape with the width of 2/3 (two-thirds) of the length with the top being red and the bottom being white, the two halves of which are the same size. This flag encapsulates the values of heroism, patriotism and nationalism of the Indonesian people. (17/08/2023).
History
The red and white colors of the state flag are taken from the colors of the banner or banner of the Majapahit Kingdom, which was centered in East Java in the 13th century. However, there is an opinion that the glorification of the red and white colors can be traced to the roots of the Austronesian people's mythology regarding the Mother of the Earth and the Father of the Sky; both are symbolized by the colors red (earth) and white (sky).
Because of this, the red and white colors often appear in the symbols of Austronesian nations, such as Tahiti, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Madagascar. Red and white were then used to symbolize the dual nature of the pair. The earliest record mentioning the use of the red and white flag can be found in Pararaton; According to this source, it was stated that the Jayakatwang troops from Gelang-gelang were flying red and white banners when they attacked Singhasari.
This means that even before the Majapahit era, red and white colors were used as the royal banner, perhaps since the time of the Kediri Kingdom. Making red and white banners was also made possible by the technique of dyeing textiles in ancient Indonesia. The white color is the natural color of cotton or cotton woven into a piece of cloth, while the natural red dye is obtained from teak tree leaves, starfruit flowers (Averrhoa bilimbi), or from the skin of the mangosteen fruit.
In fact, not only the Majapahit kingdom wears the red and white flag as a symbol of greatness. Before Majapahit, the Kediri kingdom wore red and white pennants. In addition, the Sisingamangaraja IX war flag from the Batak lands also wore red and white as the colors of the flag, depicting twin swords in white with a bright red and white base. This red and white color is the war flag of Sisingamangaraja XII. The two twin swords symbolize piso gaja dompak, an heirloom of the kings of Sisingamangaraja I–XII.
According to a professor of history from Padjadjaran University in Bandung, Mansyur Suryanegara, all Muslim fighters in the archipelago used red and white pennants in resistance, because they were based on the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad.
When the war broke out in Aceh, Acehnese warriors used a war flag in the form of pennants in red and white, on the back of which images of swords, crescents, sun and stars were applied as well as several verses of the Koran. In addition, there are also those who say that the red and white colors come from the red and white flag of the Prophet Muhammad. However, this was refuted by al-Mubarakfuri, author of Sirah Nabawiyyah, who stated that the Prophet's flag was white.
During the era of the Bugis kingdom of Bone, South Sulawesi before Arung Palakka, the Red and White flag was a symbol of the power and greatness of the Bone kingdom. The Bone flag is known as Woromporang. The banner of the Badung kingdom which is centered at Puri Pamecutan also contains red and white colors, their banner is red, white and black which may also come from the colors of Majapahit.
During the Java war (1825–1830 AD) Prince Diponegoro wore red and white pennants in his struggle against the Dutch. Then, the colors were revived by students and then nationalists in the early 20th century as an expression of nationalism towards the Netherlands. The red and white flag was used for the first time in Java in 1928. Under colonial rule, the flag was prohibited from being used. This flag was officially made the Indonesian national flag on August 17, 1945, when independence was declared and has been officially used since then.
By Design
The Indonesian Flag has a philosophical meaning. Red means courage, while white means purity. In addition, the red color is said to symbolize the human body, while white represents the human soul. The two colors are considered complementary and perfect for Indonesia. According to Sukarno, the two colors came from human creation, namely red which is the blood of a woman and white which is the color of sperm.
Besides that, according to him, the soil of the archipelago is red, while the sap of plants is white and the Javanese have been serving red and white porridge for hundreds of years. In terms of history, since ancient times both red and white colors have a sacred meaning. The red color is similar to the color of palm sugar (palm sugar) and the white color is similar to the color of rice.
These two ingredients are the main ingredients in Indonesian cuisine, especially on the island of Java. When the Majapahit Empire triumphed in the archipelago, the colors of the banners used were red and white (umbul-umbul abang putih). Since ancient times, these red and white colors have been used by the Javanese for the ceremony of celebrating the baby's womb after he was four months old in the womb in the form of porridge which was partially colored red.
The Javanese believe that pregnancy begins with the union of the red element as a symbol of the mother, namely the blood that spills when the baby is born, and the white element as the symbol of the father, which is planted in the garba cave.
Regulations Regarding the Red and White Flag, the state flag is regulated according to Article 35 of the '45 Constitution, Law No. 24/2009, and Government Regulation No.40/1958 concerning the National Flag of the Republic of Indonesia.
The unfurling of the flag during the Proclamation of Seconds Ceremony at the Merdeka Palace. The hoisting and/or installation of the State Flag is carried out between sunrise and sunset. Under certain circumstances, it can be done at night.
The National Flag must be hoisted on every Indonesian National Independence Day commemoration on August 17 by citizens who have the right to use houses, buildings or offices, education units, public transportation and private transportation throughout the territory of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and at representative offices of the Republic of Indonesia abroad.
Now, the government often calls on people in Indonesia to fly and put up the national flag for a full month in August to commemorate the country's independence day.
Everyone is prohibited from: Damaging, tearing, trampling, burning, or doing other actions with the intention of tarnishing, insulting, or degrading the honor of the National Flag; Using the State Flag for advertisements or commercial advertisements;
Flying a State Flag that is damaged, torn, faded, crumpled, or dull; Printing, embroidering and writing letters, numbers, pictures or other signs and placing badges or any other objects on the State Flag; and Using the State Flag for ceilings, roofs, wrapping goods, and covering items that can reduce the honor of the State Flag.
Waving My Flag
Berkibarlah Benderaku is one of the national songs from Indonesia. This song was composed by Saridjah Niung or better known as Mrs. Soed, and assisted by Joesoef Ronodipoero who became the head of Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI). This song was composed in 1947.
National Anthem "Indonesia Raya"
"Indonesia Raya" is the national anthem of the Republic of Indonesia. This song became one of the birth points of the nationalist movement throughout the archipelago which supported the idea of one "Indonesia" as the successor to the Dutch East Indies, rather than being divided into several colonies.
This song was composed by Wage Rudolf Soepratman in 1924 and then introduced to the public on October 28, 1928 at the Second Youth Congress in Batavia (Jakarta). The Malay-language Chinese newspaper, Sin Po, November 10, 1928 edition was published. After experiencing several changes, the song "Indonesia Raya" was played at the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence after Soekarno read the Proclamation Text. The song "Indonesia Raya" whose composition was reviewed was then regulated for its validity as the national anthem in PP No. 44 of 1958. Its validity as the national anthem was further confirmed by the enactment of the second amendment to the 1945 Constitution which included the point "The National Anthem is Indonesia Raya" in Article 36B, and also the passing of Law no. 24 of 2009.
"Indonesia Raya" is always played and sung at flag ceremonies, namely when the Red and White Flag is raised or lowered, especially at the Indonesian Independence Day ceremony on August 17 each year. The State Flag must be raised or lowered solemnly and with tugs and stretches arranged in such a way that the flag reaches the top of the flagpole when the anthem ends. Everyone who is present when the National Anthem is heard and/or sung, must stand up straight with respect.[4] The national anthem "Indonesia Raya" must also be played on every television and radio station prior to the opening of the television and radio station, or between 04:00 WIB and 06:00 WIB.
Arrangement of Jos Cleber's Symphony (1950)
Musically, this song has been glorified — in fact — by a Dutchman (or Belgian) named Jos Cleber (he was 34 at the time) who died in 1999 at the age of 83. After receiving a request from the Head of the RRI Jakarta Studio, Jusuf Ronodipuro since 1950, Jos Cleber also compiled a new arrangement, which he refined after also receiving input from President Soekarno.
Original recording (1950) and re-recording (1997)
The original recording from Jos Cleber since 1950 from the Jakarta Philharmonic Orchestra was played in stereo sound recording in Bandar Lampung since the inauguration by President Soeharto since January 1, 1992 and digitally recorded again in Australia since it coincided with the May 1998 riots arranged by Jos Cleber stored at RRI Jakarta by the Victoria Philharmonic Orchestra under the conductor by Addie Muljadi Sumaatmadja who collaborated with the Twilite Orchestra which placed the first debut album by Simfoni Negeriku with a duration of 1-minute 47-second.
Original lyrics (1928)
INDONESIA RAJA
I
Indonesia, tanah airkoe,
Tanah toempah darahkoe,
Disanalah akoe berdiri,
Mendjaga Pandoe Iboekoe.
Indonesia kebangsaankoe,
Kebangsaan tanah airkoe,
Marilah kita berseroe:
"Indonesia Bersatoe".
Hidoeplah tanahkoe,
Hidoeplah neg'rikoe,
Bangsakoe, djiwakoe, semoea,
Bangoenlah rajatnja,
Bangoenlah badannja,
Oentoek Indonesia Raja.
II
Indonesia, tanah jang moelia,
Tanah kita jang kaja,
Disanalah akoe hidoep,
Oentoek s'lama-lamanja.
Indonesia, tanah poesaka,
Poesaka kita semoea,
Marilah kita mendoa:
"Indonesia Bahagia".
Soeboerlah tanahnja,
Soeboerlah djiwanja,
Bangsanja, rajatnja, semoeanja,
Sedarlah hatinja,
Sedarlah boedinja,
Oentoek Indonesia Raja.
III
Indonesia, tanah jang soetji,
Bagi kita disini,
Disanalah kita berdiri,
Mendjaga Iboe sedjati.
Indonesia, tanah berseri,
Tanah jang terkoetjintai,
Marilah kita berdjandji:
"Indonesia Bersatoe"
S'lamatlah rajatnja,
S'lamatlah poet'ranja,
Poelaoenja, laoetnja, semoea,
Madjoelah neg'rinja,
Madjoelah Pandoenja,
Oentoek Indonesia Raja.
Refrain
Indones', Indones',
Moelia, Moelia,
Tanahkoe, neg'rikoe jang koetjinta.
Indones', Indones',
Moelia, Moelia,
Hidoeplah Indonesia Raja.
(RED) OMIKAMI-TV
Source: Adapted from various sources
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