Have you ever seen the text relief in the photograph above? If yes, so you must have visited Museum Kepresidenan RI Balai Kirti in the Bogor Presidential Palace. Actually, the relief can be found in the Presidency Gallery of President Megawati Soekarno Putri cluster on the second floor of the museum. When you see the text, this intriguing question may cross your mind “what is the story behind those words?”
The “Bendera telah aku kibarkan, pantang surut langkahku walau tinggal sendirian” is quoted from President Megawati Soekarno Putri long before she became The Fifth President of the Republic of Indonesia. The quatation was first heard on her 65th birthday on October 23rd 1993. Hmmm…. There must be an incredible story behind those words. Let’s check it out!
In 1993, there held the Fourth Congress of Partai Demokrasi Indonesia (PDI). In the event, there appeared some different voices about whom should be elected to be the next chairman of the party. Most of the congress participants strongly proposed Mrs. Megawati Soekarno Putri as the prominent candidate. She, at first, refused the request but as the situation was getting “hot”, she asserted this well-known quotation, “Bendera Sudah Saya Kibarkan. Saya Pantang Surut. Biarpun saya tinggal sendiri, bendera itu tidak akan saya turunkan.” to light up the spirit of the congress. Interesting right? (Rozinah Nabihah)
(translated by Ken Silvana)
Source:
Buku Bendera Sudah Saya Kibarkan: Pokok-pokok Pikiran Megawati Soekarnoputri karya Drs. Frans Seda
