VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

In commemorating Independence Day on August 17, every year the government holds a state ceremony at the Merdeka Palace complex Jakarta. This year, the state ceremony was held, although in limited conditions, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Actually, in the complex, there is another palace besides the Merdeka palace, called the Istana Negara or the State Palace. The State Palace is used as a venue for the state events, among others, the inauguration of high-ranking state officials, national working meetings, national and international congresses, and state banquets. The State Palace is located on Jalan Rijswijk (now Jalan Veteran) No. 17, Central Jakarta. The building is adjacent to the Ciliwung River, and flanked by the Bina Graha building and the State Secretariat. This palace is located opposite to the Merdeka Palace, so the two palaces often called as the "Twin Palace". The building has white color with a European style architecture taken from Greek architectural art. This palace does not have a wide and open foyer like many residential houses in Jakarta. The State Palace has five wide doors. In the center of the building there is a dining room in a classic style with pillars along both sides of the room. There are two pavilions on the left that facing to the main building. This pavilion was originally used as a residence for staffs and adjutants of the Dutch Governor-General but now this building functions as the office of the presidential household staffs.

The Istana Negara was built in 1796 as a resting house. Initially it belonged to van Isseldijk, an official of Raad van Indie, then the ownership transferred to JA. van Braam. When Indonesia was under British rule, the State Palace Building was built into a magnificent palace with a Neoclassical architectural style and became a place of honor. At this palace, Lieutenant General Raffles lived with other important people from 1811 to 1816. In 1821, this palace was purchased by the Dutch colonial government to be used as the residence of the Governor General in Batavia, because the official residence of the Dutch Governor General was at the Bogor Palace, West Java. In the 19th century a new palace was built in the same area, especially for various official ceremonies that were attended by many people. The Palace overlooks the Merdeka Square and later known as the Merdeka Palace.

The State Palace was used as a residence and as an office by the Dutch Governor General Baron van Der Cappellen. In addition, this palace was also often used as a place to stay for high-ranking officials of the Dutch East Indies government after attending the meetings in Batavia. 

Until the era of Governor General Du Bus de Ghisignies from 1826 to 1830, the State Palace still functioned as a residence, office, and a place for meetings. In 1942, Governor General Tjarda Van Starkenborch signed an agreement to hand over the Dutch East Indies government to the Japanese troops at this Palace.

Since that time, the State Palace has been occupied by the commander of the Japanese Armed Forces who controlled Java and Madura. This palace has become the residence of Siko Shikikan or the commander of the Japanese Army who ruled Indonesian territory, namely Hitosji Imamura, Kumakichi Harada, and General Yamaguchi. After the Indonesian Proclamation of Independence on 17 August 1945, President Soekarno also stayed at the State Palace until the recognition of sovereignty on December 27, 1949. This Palace was a witness of the signing of the Linggarjati agreement. The State Palace also became the place for the signing of the negotiation text between Indonesia and the Netherlands after the Round Table Conference.