National
Monument (MONAS)
The National Monument
(Indonesian: Monumen Nasional (Monas)) is a 433 ft (132 metre) tower in the
centre of Merdeka Square, Central Jakarta, symbolizing the fight for
Indonesia's independence. Construction began in 1961 under the direction of
President Sukarno and the monument was opened to the public in 1975. It is
topped by a flame covered with gold foil.
The monument and the museum is
open daily from 08.00 - 15.00 Western Indonesia Time (UTC+7), everyday
throughout the week, except for the last Monday of each month, when the
monument is closed. The main Sudirman-Thamrin avenues in Jakarta lead to the
Merdeka Square, where in its center stands the National Monument (also known as
Monas--Monumen Nasional) which houses the first red-and-white flag flown at the
Proclamation of Independence on 17 August 1945. This flag has now become
threadbare, and so nowadays on Independence Day ceremonies, the original flag
is taken out but only to accompany the replica flag to be flown in front of the
Merdeka Palace. The 137 meter tall National Monument is obelisk shaped, and is
topped with a 14.5 meter bronze flame coated with 32 kilograms gold leaf.
Within the pedestal is a museum depicting in diorama Indonesia’s fight for
Independence as well as the original text of the Proclamation of Independence.
A lift takes visitors up to the look-out platform at the base of the flame for
a grand view of Jakarta. Surrounding the Monument is now a park with a musical
fountain, enjoyed by the Jakarta public on Sundays for sports and recreation.
Deer roam among the shady
trees in the park. Merdeka Square is the center of most important government buildings.
During Dutch colonial days here was the center of government, known as
Koningsplein or the King’s Square. The north side is dominated by the Merdeka
Palace once the home of the Dutch Governor Generals, which now also houses the
office of the President and the Cabinet. To the South is the office of
Indonesia’s Vice President, Jakarta’s Governor and provincial parliament
building, as also the American Embassy , while to the West is the National
Museum, the Constitutional Court, the Ministry for Culture and Tourism and the
Indosat building, Indonesia’s first international telecommunications company.
