The Rengasdengklok incident is one of the moments in the independence of the very

historic Indonesian republic. This event is part of the background towards the peak of Indonesian
independence.

What happened during the Rengasdengklok incident? On August 16, 1945, Soekarno and
Mohammad Hatta were kidnapped by Indonesian youth and taken to Rengasdengklok,
Karawang, West Java. The kidnapping carried out by young people was aimed at securing
Sukarno and Moh. Hatta from the reach of the Japanese soldiers so they could not to be affected
and immediately proclaimed Indonesian independence. This was also happened because of the
differences of opinions between the old and young groups. The old group wants the proclamation
to be discussed in advance with the PPKI while the young group opposes it because the PPKI
itself is an institution formed by Japan and they want the proclamation as soon as possible. After
the negotiation in rengasdengklok, it has changed the mindset of Soekarno and Moh. Hatta. They
have agreed that the Proclamation of Independence must be immediately announced.

In Jakarta, the next discussion was held at the house of Admiral Tadachi Maeda who
allowed his residence as a place of negotiation and guaranteed their safety. The discussion results
with a conclusion of the proclamation of independence to be held in Jakarta on August 17, 1945
and on no later than 12.00 PM. It was planned to be read out by Soekarno and Moh. Hatta in the
IKADA field (nowadays it has become the Monas’ field) or at Soekarno's house on Jl.
Pegangsaan Timur 56. At the end, Soekarno's house was chosen because in the IKADA field was
already spread the news that there would be a big event to be held, so that the Japanese soldiers
were aware and on guard.

Why was Rengasdengklok chosen as a place to hide Ir. Soekarno and Moh. Hatta? Its
location is far from Jakarta, around 81 kilometers that makes Rengasdengklok to be a safe place
to plan the nation’s independence. Also, Rengasdengklok was far from being supervised by
Japanese soldiers who at that time knew about the proclamation of independence’s plan.