Monpera Monument Long History of People's Struggle

Helloindonesia.id – After the proclamation of Indonesian independence. Various regions in the archipelago were still experiencing upheaval in the Dutch military aggression II. As happened in Palembang in December 1946, the Dutch who violated the demarcation line sparked the battle. Pressed by the resistance of nationalist fighters, they asked for help, which in turn made the nationalist fighters cornered.

In January 1947, the Dutch more aggressively destroyed the city of Palembang by deploying tanks and artillery. The Dutch invaders also fired on nationalist fighters from warships and boats, dropping bombs and grenades. The battle took place in almost all regions of the city of Palembang for 5 days 5 nights.

To commemorate the event, the elders of the Indonesian independence fighters in the South Sumatra region. Who are members of the South Sumatra Veterans Legion took the initiative to build a memorial monument. These ideals were only realized on August 17, 1975 with the groundbreaking ceremony of the construction of the monument. The construction of the monument was completed in 1988. Which was later inaugurated by Alamsyah Ratu Prawiranegara. Under the name of the Perjuangan Rakyat Monument (Monpera).

The philosophy behind the monument Monpera

The shape of the Monpera resembles a five-crowned jasmine flower. Melati symbolizes the purity of the warriors’ hearts. While the five sides represent the five residency areas that are incorporated in the South Sumatra Subcommandment. While the path leading to the main building Monpera amounted to 9, namely 3 on the left side, 3 on the right side, and 3 on the back side. The number 9 contains the meaning of togetherness of the people of Palembang. Which is known by the term “Batang Hari Sembilan”. While Monpera’s building height reaches 17 meters, has 8 floors, and 45 fields / lanes. These figures represent the date of the proclamation of Indonesian independence on 17 August 1945.

Monpera is also equipped with various other buildings around it. Such as the main gate which is made with 6 concrete forks. This figure symbolizes the 6 struggle areas of the people of South Sumatra. Past the main gate, visitors will find elephant ivory made of cement and sand castings. The ivory symbolizes the struggles of the people of South Sumatra like dead elephants leaving ivory. On the ivory of the elephant inscriptions and figures of the year Monpera was inaugurated.

Symmetrical with the ivory inscription of an elephant, there is a chest to form the eagle of the Pancasila on the wall of the main building of Monpera. While in the other part there are two reliefs, the first reliefs describe the condition of the people during pre-independence, while the other reliefs describe the events of the war 5 days 5 nights.

Monpera Monument Collection

Entering the main building Monpera, visitors will find a variety of historical collections relating to the struggle of the people of South Sumatra in the face of Dutch military aggression II. The collection includes photos of documentation, clothing that fighters have used, weapons, books, and even currencies that have been used in the Republic of Indonesia.

The Monpera building which is full of symbols is an attempt to recall the struggles of the heroes who have died in order to maintain their independence. So that the monument is not just a sacred building that illustrates the sheer glory of the past, but more than that, the monument can be a place to continue to maintain and preserve the noble values ​​of the struggle of Indonesian nationalism.

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Footnote: indonesiakaya.com