Kidnapping for Independence: Indonesia's Bold Move

Indonesia’s independence actually started with a kidnapping and a secret meeting inside a Japanese

officer’s house. After Japan surrendered in 1945, the youth generation refused to wait

for permission. They literally kidnapped leaders Soekarno and Hatta to Rengasdengklok just to force them

to declare freedom immediately. Once agreed, they rushed back to Jakarta and drafted

the proclamation safely at Admiral Maeda’s home. By 10 AM the next morning,

avoiding Japanese troops at the main square, they declared freedom on Soekarno’s front

porch. With a simple microphone and a hand-sewn flag, they seized their

destiny.