Merdeka Palace

This building located at Jalan Merdeka Utara, Central Jakarta, before being named Merdeka Palace was called Koningsplen Paleis or the “Palace of High Representative of the Netherland Throne”. It was built in 1873 during the administration of Governor General James Lindon, then continued during the administratation of Governor General Johan William Van Landsberge and completed in 1879. The construction was carried out by the ministry of Public Works with contractor “Firma Prossacra” and cost f 360.000,-. In 1949 this building was named Merdeka Palace,because when the ceremony of December 27, 1949 where the Dutch flag was lowered and replaced by the Indonesian Red and White, the word “merdeka” was cheerfully echoed by the people.

From this word “merdeka” it was agree upon to name this building “Merdeka Palace”. President Soekarno later used the palace both as residence and office. The commemorations of the independent day of Indonesia on every 17 August, where people were mobilized to listens the state speech was held in front yard of Merdeka Palace.

During the new order, since the administratation of President Soeharto, Merdeka Palace was no longer used as the official residence of the head of state, because President Soeharto occupied his own house at Jalan Cendana. Today Merdeka Palace has only used avenue for state ceremonies, like commemorations of the Proclamation of independent for receiving the letter accrediting foreign ambassador to Indonesia.(source: jakarta-tourism.go.id)