TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Merdeka Building
1895The first building on the site at the intersection of Jl
1895
The first building on the site at the intersection of Jl. Braga and Jl. Asia-Afrika is constructed for the Sociëteit Concordia.
1926
The building is rebuilt by Wolff Schoemacher, Albert Aalbers and Van Gallen as a dance hall and entertainment and social venue for wealthy residents of Bandung and its vicinities, including plantation owners or employees, officers, officials and wealthy businessmen. During weekends, the building is filled with people enjoying art performances, social dances and dinners.
The building occupies a 7,500 square meter plot of land.
1945
The building is used as a center of command for Indonesian youths to fight against the Japanese military, which refuses to hand over power to Indonesia. During the Japanese occupancy, the building is named Dai Toa Kaman and serves as a center for cultural activities.
1946
The Concordia is used for meetings, arts performances and parties and also has a restaurant open to the public.
1954
The government decides to use Bandung as the venue for the maiden Asian-African Conference and the Concordia is selected to host the conference.
The building is renovated to suit the needs of hosting an international conference.
1955
The first Asian-African Conference is held. After elections resulted in the formation of the Republic of Indonesia Constituante, the Concordia is named the Konstituante building.
1960
The building, renamed the Merdeka building, serves as a venue for the National Planning Board and later becomes the office of the Provisional People's Consultative Assembly (MPRS).
1965
During a coup attempt, the Merdeka Building is occupied by the military and part of the building is used to hold political detainees linked to the communist party.
1968
The MPRS speakers issue a letter stipulating that the main building is to be returned to the government while other buildings at the rear of the compound remain for the use of the MPRS.
1980
The building is used to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Bandung Conference; then president Soeharto inaugurates a museum dedicated to the conference.
2005
The building hosts the conference's 50th anniversary during Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's presidency.
2015
The Merdeka Building is renovated and redecorated to host the conference's 60th anniversary celebrations.
