Page 8 - E-BOOK SEJARAH DAN BUDAYA INDONESIA

Japanese commanders listen to surrender terms

On August 14, 1945 Japan formally surrendered to the Allies on board the USS
Missouri. The Japanese Army and Navy are still in power in Indonesia because japan promised to
return power in Indonesia to the hands of the Allies. Sutan Sjahrir, Wikana, Darwis, and Chaerul
Saleh heard the news through BBC radio. After hearing rumors that the Japanese would bow their
knees, the young people urged the old to immediately proclaim Indonesia's independence. But the
old faction does not want to rush. They did not want bloodshed at the time of the
proclamation. Consultation was also carried out in the form of a PPKI meeting. The young people
did not approve of the meeting, considering that the PPKI was a body formed by the
Japanese. They want independence over our own nation's efforts, not Japan's gift.

Soekarno and Hatta went to the Japanese military ruler (Gunsei) to obtain confirmation at
his office in Koningsplein (Medan Merdeka). However, the office is empty.

Soekarno and Hatta with Achmad Soebardjo then went to the office of Bukanfu, Rear
Admiral Maeda, on Jalan Medan Merdeka Utara (Maeda's house on Jalan Imam Bonjol 1). Maeda
welcomed their arrival with congratulations on their success in Dalat and replied that he had not
received confirmation and was still waiting for instructions from Tokyo. After returning from
Maeda's place, Soekarno and Hatta immediately prepared for the PPKI meeting at 10.00 am on
August 16 the next day at the Office of Jalan Pejambon No. 2 to discuss everything related to the
preparation of the Proclamation of Independence.

A day later, the turmoil of pressure that wanted Indonesia's takeover of power intensified
by young people from several factions. The PPKI meeting on August 16 at 10.00 am was not held
because Soekarno and Hatta did not show up.

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