TheJakartaPost
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The State Palace: From private residence to a nation’s landmark
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Old times: A lithograph illustrating Paleis Rijswijk in the 19th century. (-/Agus Dermawan T.)
F
or more than 200 years, the State Palace on Jl. Veteran in Jakarta has witnessed and survived the trials and tribulations of Indonesia’s history.
On April 17, Indonesians will elect their president, who will occupy the palace.
The palace is where the president-elect along with hundreds of staff members will take office and perform their duties.
The excitement over the presidential elections, however, may cause people to disregard the palace, which has been a symbol of power, for power.
The palace, including the Merdeka Palace within the compound, indeed has a long history.
Its story began in 1796, when a man by the name of Jacob Andries van Braam started to build the compound as his mansion.
