Indonesian Monas Monument
Who doesn't know Monas or National Monument? This monument was built to commemorate the history of Indonesia's struggle to finally gain independence from the Dutch colonial era. Monas itself is President Soekarno's proud lighthouse project. Monas was built when Indonesia was still in difficult economic conditions because it had only just become a sovereign country.
Siapa tak kenal dengan Monas atau Monumen Nasional. Tugu ini dibangun guna mengenang sejarah perjuangan Indonesia hingga akhirnya bisa merdeka dari Kolonial Belanda. Monas sendiri merupakan proyek mercusuar kebanggaan Presiden Soekarno. Monas dibangun saat Indonesia masih dalam kondisi ekonomi yang sulit lantaran baru seumur jagung jadi negara berdaulat.
The idea of Monas has been around since 1954. However, its construction was only launched in 1961, while its completion was carried out in the midst of the political transition to the New Order. The architect is Frederich Silaban who also designed the design for the construction of the Istiqlal Mosque. Frederich was also assisted by other architects, namely Soedarsono and Rooseno.
Gagasan Monas sudah ada sejak 1954. Namun pembangunannya baru bisa dicanangkan pada tahun 1961, sementara penyelesaiannya dilakukan di tengah situasi peralihan politik menuju Orde Baru. Arsiteknya adalah Frederich Silaban yang juga merancang desain pembangunan Masjid Istiqlal. Frederich juga dibantu arsitek lain yaitu Soedarsono dan Rooseno.
The construction of Monas was even abandoned in 1966-1972. Construction then continued during the era of President Soeharto until it was completed and officially opened in 1975. Soekarno himself later died in June 1970 during a period of exile at Wisma Yaso. This means that the founder of Monas could not see the Monas Monument completed until the end of his life.
Pembangunan Monas bahkan sempat terbengkalai pada 1966-1972. Pembangunan kemudian dilanjutkan di era Presiden Soeharto hingga selesai dan resmi dibuka pada tahun 1975. Soekarno sendiri belakangan meninggal dunia pada Juni tahun 1970 selama masa pengasingan di Wisma Yaso. Ini berarti, sang pencetus Monas tak bisa melihat Tugu Monas selesai dibangun hingga akhir hayatnya.