The Evolution of Our Garuda Bird

Every June 1, our memories flashed visually a Garuda bird named Garuda Pancasila, wearing a shield on the chest containing the symbol of the five precepts. Is it true that the contents of the Pancasila text are the work of Bung Karno? What about the Jakarta Charter? Why is the state symbol of an eagle? So, why was Bung Karno more famous than Sultan Hamid II who designed the Garuda Pancasila bird?

Here's the story.

Unexpectedly, the Japanese Government established harmonious relations with youth leaders in Jakarta. A few months before the Japanese surrender as a result of the atomic bomb by the allies, Emperor Hirohito ordered the Japanese elite in Jakarta, to facilitate the Indonesian independence process.

Finally, Japan formed the Indonesian Independence Preparatory Agency for Investigation of Indonesia (BPUPKI) consisting of 63 youth leaders. Chaired by Radjiman Wedyodiningrat, with vice chairman R. R. Soeroso and the Japanese representative, Hibangase Yosio.

Beginning in April 1945, youth leaders were invited to the Chuo Sangi In Building (now the Pancasila Building of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Jalan Pejambon Jakarta, to discuss the basis of the state. A number of figures were asked for their opinions, including Mohammad Yamin, Prof. Soetopo, and Bung Karno who represented the strengths of youth organizations.

That Friday morning, on June 1, 1945, the BPUPKI gave Bung Karno the opportunity to present the idea of ​​independence. The leader of the Indonesian National Party (PNI) gave a speech about the values ​​of the country's basic philosophy. At that time, Bung Karno did not mention the entire contents of 'Pancasila' that we know at this time. Implicitly, Bung Karno only proposed five basic principles of the state based on the characteristics of the Indonesian people, namely the mutual cooperation. Five principles include; first, nationalism or Indonesian nationality; second, internationalism or humanitarianism; third, consensus or democracy; fourth, social welfare; and fifth, the divinity of culture.

This speech was actually delivered by Bung Karno without a title. But later the term "Birth of the Pancasila" was used by former BPUPKI Chairperson Radjiman Wedyodiningrat, in the introduction to the book containing the speech, which was later recorded by the BPUPK.

On June 22, 1945, the BPUPKI formed a 'Committee of Nine' to reformulate the Pancasila concept proposed by Sukarno. The committee succeeded in compiling a manuscript by Mohammad Yamin called 'Jakarta Charter'.

In the following month, BPUPKI held a third meeting, including discussing the draft Constitution and the territorial boundaries of the Republic of Indonesia. In this meeting, the Drafting Committee of the Constitution and Bung Karno prepared a draft of the proclamation of Indonesian independence, the opening and the body of the Constitution. The concept of the proclamation of independence and the Constitution is planned to adopt the contents of the Jakarta Charter.

Jakarta Charter Polemic

On August 7, 1945, Japan dissolved BPUPKI and formed the Indonesian Independence Preparatory Committee (PPKI) with 21 members as an effort to reflect ethnic representation, consisting of 12 people from Java, 3 people from Sumatra, 2 people from Sulawesi, 1 person from Sulawesi Kalimantan, 1 person from Nusa Tenggara, 1 person from Maluku, 1 person from China.

Alexander Andries Maramis, a nationalist from North Sulawesi who was a member of the UUD Designing Committee, was not satisfied with the contents of the Jakarta Charter. Since the signing of the Jakarta Charter, he secretly launched a lobby to replace the contents of the first precepts of the Jakarta Charter, because it was considered inappropriate to be applied as the basis of this republic, which has a diversity of ethnicities, languages ​​and religions.

The day after the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence, Maramis also proposed changes to Mohammad Hatta, after previously consulting Teuku Muhammad Hassan, Kasman Singodimedjo, and Ki Bagus Hadikusumo. In the first session of the PPKI or the Greater Indonesia Committee and at the same time endorsing the 1945 Constitution, Bung Hatta finally changed the term 'Mukaddimah' to be changed to 'opening'. Then, the first precept that contains the obligation to carry out Islamic Sharia for adherents, was changed to "God Almighty". In the hands of Bung Hatta, the difference was resolved in just 15 minutes.

Designers of the National Symbols

Back to the Bung Karno Speech era on June 1, 1945. In a marathon session that lasted a month before the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence, a Batak journalist, Parada Harahap, proposed the need to prepare the national emblem. The proposal of the BPUPKI members on July 13, 1945 was immediately accepted by all participants. However, this proposal is discussed specifically in a law, which regulates the state symbol.

After the Proclamation of August 17, 1945, the Greater Indonesia Committee chaired by Ki Hajar Dewantara was tasked with investigating the meaning of symbols in Indonesian civilization, as a first step to reviewing the country's symbol design.

Unfortunately, on July 3, 1946 there was a rebellion against Sultan Syahrir's cabinet, so the work of this team was delayed. A year later, the Ministry of Information Office announced the design competition for the country's emblem. At that time, there were dozens of proposals of national symbols from painters across the country, but most of them did not include elements of Nusantara history.

After the Round Table Conference (KMB) in The Hague, Sukarno was installed as President of the United Republic of Indonesia at the Sitinggil Keraton Yogyakarta, on December 17, 1949. Three days later, President Sukarno appointed Syarif Hamid Alkadrie alias Sultan Hamid II to become State Minister Zonder Portfolio, because is believed to be able to draft a national emblem. Then, Sultan Hamid II formed a technical team of the National Emblem Committee, which was filled by Ki Hajar Dewantara, MA Pelaupessy, Moh Natsir, RM Ng Poerbatjaraka, and was chaired by Muhammad Yamin.

Garuda Sultan Hamid II Bird Design

The initial design of the Garuda bird by Sultan Hamid II sparked the appeal of President Sukarno. Bung Karno was more enticed by the concept of the Garuda Hamid II version, rather than the M-Yamin version of the sun-moon or syamsiah-kamariah which was judged to be similar to the Japanese Nippon flag.

The initial design of Sultan Hamid II depicts an eagle that has a hand holding a shield containing five basic precepts of the state. According to him, the picture was inspired by a number of temple statues on Java which were sent by Ki Hajar Dewantara on January 26, 1950. However, this initial design was criticized by Moh Natsir because of the initial design of the eagle by having shoulders and hands resembling humans. Then on the advice of MA Pelaupessy, the number of tail feathers which were originally seven strands, was changed to eight strands, in accordance with the number of the Proclamation of the Republic of Indonesia.

After receiving this input, Sultan Hamid II changed the initial design, so that the bird's head was more like an eagle. And finally on February 11, 1950, the symbol of this country was officially presented in a RIS cabinet meeting chaired by President Sukarno.

Garuda Pancasila Bird Design continues to experience improvements. Bung Karno gave advice, so that the bird's head was not bare, but instead had a crest like a Javanese eagle. In addition, the part of the claw that was originally gripping the back of the ‘Bhinneka Tunggal Ika’ band, was asked to have the foot grip facing forward.

"There are three distinctive features of Sultan Hamid II's work, namely the equator, a picture of a chain which is an ornament of the Kapuas Hulu Dayak tribe and a feather design in the Sintang Kingdom," said Max Yusuf Alkadrie, a relative of Sultan Hamid II.

After the refinement was carried out, the draft which was formulated from various aspirations from various parties was finally approved by Bung Karno on March 20 in the same year. Finally, this crested Garuda symbol became an official attachment to Government Regulation Number 66 of 1951.

Unfortunately, now the name Sultan Hamid II, almost disappeared with the times. Commemoration of Pancasila Day which was inaugurated by President Joko Widodo, did not change the tombstones that were embedded in the burrow in the Batulayang family cemetery, West Kalimantan. His closeness to Raymond Westerling, which is identical to the Dutch Military Aggression, actually led to accusations of traitors of the nation attached to him. He was dishonorably discharged, without going through legal proceedings.

Allegation of Coup

Sultan Hamid II is the son of a nobleman in Pontianak. He was the eldest son of Sultan Syarif Muhammad Alkadrie, so he inherited the royal throne. Before August 17, 1945, Sultan Hamid II had won the position of Adjudant in Buitenfgewone Dienst bij HN Koningin der Nederlanden, which is the highest rank as assistant queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

He was the first Indonesian to obtain the highest rank in the military of the Dutch East Indies. He is also known to be quite close to Reymond Westerling, Commander of the Dutch Special Forces. Later it became known, Westerling was the mastermind of the Indonesian post-independence Dutch resistance.

However, the owner of the name Syarif Abdul Hamid Alkadrie, immediately changed 180 degrees in favor of the Sukarno-Hatta government. Evidently, he also represented the Sultanate of West Kalimantan in negotiations against the Netherlands, the period 1947-1949. His biggest achievement was when he helped Indonesia succeed in the lobby of the Round Table Conference (KMB) in The Hague. It is said that he was able to persuade Queen Yuliana, who was the Queen of the Netherlands, to hand over Indonesia to RIS.

The negotiations resulted in a number of documents, including the Charter of Sovereignty, agreeing to withdraw the Dutch army "in the shortest possible time", and the Republic of the United States of America gave the nation the most preferred status to the Netherlands. In addition, there would be no discrimination against Dutch citizens and companies, and the Republic was willing to take over trade agreements previously negotiated by the Dutch East Indies.

It could be that the expertise of Sultan Hamid II in the KMB arena became an attraction for President Sukarno to include him in the ranks of the cabinet of ministers, with the main task of designing the state symbol.

In a separate place and at the same time, Westerling led 500,000 troops to destroy Indonesian army bases. The last event, Westerling's group massacred 94 Siliwangi Division troops in the Bandung area, on January 23, 1950. From here, they moved to Jakarta, trying to meet Sultan Hamid II, who was then busy designing the country's emblem. Westerling asked Sultan Hamid II to lead a coup in Jakarta. But the request, it was said, was refused outright.

Two weeks after the design of the country's emblem was approved by President Sukarno, Sultan Hamid II was suddenly dishonorably dismissed. He was arrested at the Des Indes Hotel (now the Duta Merlin Jakarta Shop), on April 5, 1950, on charges of treason. Even so, he was not immediately brought to justice on the grounds that the government had difficulty finding laws, to indict Sultan Hamid II.

Three years of the coup settled, then on April 8, 1953, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that Sultan Hamid II was guilty but only based on "intention", not with sufficient evidence. He was willing to spend ten years without asking for help from the Dutch government lobby or Westerling's cold hands.

After being released from prison, Sultan Hamid II refused to clear his name, let alone interested in entering politics. He was reluctant to return to the military and the Sultanate of Pontianak. Towards the end of his breath, he had come to the Idayu Foundation to submit the results of the refinement of the final form of the country's symbol image, namely by increasing the size scale and slick color layout.

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