Jakarta Holds Commemoration Ceremony for 77th IKADA Big Meeting
Reported by Folmer | Translated by Nugroho Adibrata
The Jakarta administration held the 77th IKADA Big Meeting Day 2022, at Plaza Selatan Monas Field, Central Jakarta, Monday (9/19).
This event can't be considered small
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan acted as inspector ceremony where its ceremony was held to commemorate the event of the Big Meeting at IKADA Field (Djakarta Athletic Association, now Monas Field) which was held on September 19, 1945.
The Governor said that the big meeting at IKADA field is an important event in the history of the Republic of Indonesia, which is a month old with a situation of uncertainty and the world doubts whether this is the independence of the people's will or the elite.
Trust of Residents Is Important for City"At that time, students was still in the tens and literate people were still five percent, and there was a view that the people did not want independence," he expressed.
According to him, Jakarta people moved and gathered at the IKADA field to send a message to the world. This event marked a new chapter in the struggle for independence that was not only the will of the educated or intellectuals who at that time fought through writing, speech and parties but all Indonesian people.
"So, this event can't be considered small," he explained.
He continued that about 200 to 250,000 residents attended the big meeting at IKADA Field on Septenber 19, 1945. It was fantastic, as the population of Jakarta at that time was around 300,000 people.
"If there are that many gatherings, it signifies an extraordinary people movement. Gathered, before there were WhatsApp groups, television or gadgets like today, but 200 to 250,000 people can gather. That's something amazing," he continued.
Hence, he called on all levels of the Jakarta administration not to regard the commemoration of the IKADA Big Meeting Day as an annual ritual that was done but to consider it a commemoration of the events of the giant meeting in the IKADA field.
"And remember that we are all people who feel the benefits of independence. This is an important message, hopefully this IKADA day will be remembered more in Indonesia, as it marks the real struggle of the people," he said.
