Silent Witness to Governance

Kompas/Wisnu Widiantoro

White spotted deer are seen on the grounds in front of Bogor Palace, West Java, Friday (28/4). The palace has been a silent witness to momentous events in the history of Indonesia’s development as a sovereign nation.

Introduction: After the initial editions on presidential palaces in Yogyakarta (Gedung Agung) and Bogor in early July, starting this week Kompas resumes its coverage of “palaces”. In this edition, Kompas offers coverage uncovering past events at the palaces in Bogor, Cipanas and Tampaksiring, from the administrations of Soekarno to President Joko Widodo. Through numerous events, we can learn valuable lessons for Indonesia’s future.

Even though the Dutch empire had surrendered Buitenzorg Palace, now known as Bogor Palace, to the Indonesian government in 1949, Soekarno only began officially using the palace one year later. The 28.4-hectare palace complex was witness to the Five-State Conference, the predecessor of the Asian-African Conference, and the transfer of power from Soekarno to Soeharto.