Indonesia National Flag "Sang Merah Putih"

The national flag of Indonesia, also known as 'Sang Merah Putih,' was introduced and hoisted in public at the Indonesian Independence Day ceremony, on 17th August, 1945. For over the last 60 years, the current national flag of Indonesia is being flown without any changes made to the original design.

Description:

The design of the Indonesian national flag is quite simple. It's a two-colored flag with two equal horizontal bands of red at the top and white at the bottom with a ratio of 2:3 successively. Similar to that of the flag of Poland and identical to that of the flag of Monaco except for its ratio, Indonesia's national flag is broadly based on the flag of the Majapahit Empire back in the 13th century.

History

The Bendera Pusaka was sewn by Sukarno's wife Fatmawati.[1] It was based on a 13th century Majapahit flag, which had nine stripes of red and white.[2]

It was first raised at Sukarno's house at 56 Pegangsaan Timur Street, Jakarta, after Sukarno read the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence.[3] It was hoisted on a short bamboo staff by a group led by Captain Latief Hendaningrat; after its hoisting, the gathered crowd sang "Indonesia Raya".[2][4]

During the first year of the Indonesian National Revolution, the Bendera Pusaka flew day and night. After the Dutch took Jakarta in 1946, the Bendera Pustaka was brought to Yogyakarta in Sukarno's briefcase. During Operatie Kraai, the Bendera Pustaka was cut in half and given to Husein Mutahar for safekeeping; Mutahar was told to "protect the flag with [his] life". Despite being captured by and escaping from the Dutch, Mutahar managed to bring the flag to Jakarta, sew it back together, and turn it over to Soedjono. Soedjono later returned the flag to Sukarno, who was in exile in Bangka.

After the end of the war, the Bendera Pusaka was raised once a year in front of the Presidential Palace during Independence Day celebrations. However, due to the flag's fragile state, beginning in 1968 it has been replaced by a replica.

In 2003, plans were released to relocate the Bendera Pusaka from the Presidential Palace to the National Monument. In 2004, the relocation was expected to cost Rp. 3.5 billion (US$388,889), with the flag being stored in a 24-karat gold-plated case within the Independence Room of the Monument. However, the relocation has been consistently delayed. As of 2009, its storage at the National Monument has been mandated by law.

Alternative history

There is also another story about the flag of Indonesia, which is significantly related to the flag of the Netherlands. Under Dutch colonialism, every administration used the Netherlands (Red-white-blue) flag. The flag of Indonesia was prohibited. To symbolize the intention of forcing out the Dutch, the Indonesian nationalists and independence movement tore apart the Dutch flag. They tore off the bottom third of the flag, and separated the red and white colors from the blue color. The main reason was because blue in the Dutch flag was understood as standing for the "blue blooded" aristocracy. Conversely, the red color represented the blood shed in the War of Independence, while the white could be understood to symbolize the purity of the Indonesians.[4]

The color Red of the national flag of Indonesia stands for bravery and courage while White represents spirituality and purity. A different symbolism of the colors: red represents the human body or physical life, while white represents the human soul or spiritual life together forming a complete human being. Traditionally, the Indonesians use the red and white as their sacred color.

This red-white flag was first flown in Java in 1928 before it was prohibited under the Dutch rule. The original flag hoisted on the Indonesian Independence Day, referred to as the historical flag or the "bendera pusaka" was flown for the last time on 17th August, 1968. The original flag was preserved and replaced by a replica woven of pure Indonesian silk.

The Indonesian flag is a national symbol of the country and thus certain etiquettes and protocols are needed to be maintained. The codes needed to be followed are:

* The Indonesian national flag will always have to be given priority when flown with other Indonesian flags like the State Flag or the Military Flag
* . The national flag of Indonesia should never be dragged in the ground as it shows disrespect towards the country and its history.
* When the Indonesian flag becomes old and tattered with its color fading, it must be replaced with a new flag in good condition.
* While replacing, the old flag should be destroyed respectful and in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private due to care and respect.
* The national flag of Indonesia should always be flown in the correct direction with the top pointing upwards and due care and consideration shown.