YOUTH PLEDGE (SUMPAH PEMUDA)

The Youth Pledge (Indonesian: Sumpah Pemuda), was a declaration made on 28 October 1928 by young Indonesian nationalists at a conference in the then-Dutch East Indies. They proclaimed three ideals, one motherland, one nation and one language.

Background

The first Indonesian youth congress was held in Batavia, capital of the then-Dutch East Indies in 1926, but produced no formal decisions but did promote the idea of a united Indonesia. In October 1928, the second Indonesian youth congress was held at three different locations. In the first session, the hope was expressed that the congress would inspire the feeling of unity. The second session saw discussions about educational issues. In the third and final session, held at Jalan Kramat Raya No, 126, on October 28 participants heard the future Indonesian national anthem Indonesia Raya by Wage Rudolf Supratman. The congress closed with a reading of the youth pledge.

The Pledge

In Indonesian, with the original spelling, the pledge reads:
SUMPAH PEMUDA
Pertama :
- KAMI POETRA DAN POETRI INDONESIA MENGAKOE BERTOEMPAH DARAH JANG SATOE, TANAH AIR INDONESIA
Kedua :
- KAMI POETRA DAN POETRI INDONESIA, MENGAKOE BERBANGSA JANG SATOE, BANGSA INDONESIA
Ketiga :
- KAMI POETRA DAN POETRI INDONESIA MENGJOENJOENG BAHASA PERSATOEAN, BAHASA INDONESIA
In English:
Firstly:
We the sons and daughters of Indonesia, acknowledge one motherland, Indonesia.
Secondly:
We the sons and daughters of Indonesia, acknowledge one nation, the nation of Indonesia.
Thirdly:
We the sons and daughters of Indonesia, respect the language of unity, Indonesian.
Original report:
SOEMPAH PEMOEDA
Pertama :
- KAMI POETRA DAN POETRI INDONESIA MENGAKOE BERTOEMPAH DARAH JANG SATOE, TANAH AIR INDONESIA
Kedua :
- KAMI POETRA DAN POETRI INDONESIA, MENGAKOE BERBANGSA JANG SATOE, BANGSA INDONESIA
Ketiga :
- KAMI POETRA DAN POETRI INDONESIA MENGJOENJOENG BAHASA PERSATOEAN, BAHASA INDONESIA
Djakarta, 28 Oktober 1928
Teks Soempah Pemoeda dibacakan pada waktu Kongres Pemoeda yang diadakan di
Waltervreden (sekarang Jakarta) pada tanggal 27 – 28 Oktober 1928.
Panitia Kongres Pemoeda terdiri dari :
Ketua : Soegondo Djojopoespito (PPPI)
Wakil Ketua : R.M. Djoko Marsaid (Jong Java)
Sekretaris : Mohammad Jamin (Jong Sumateranen Bond)
Bendahara : Amir Sjarifuddin (Jong Bataks Bond)
Pembantu I : Djohan Mohammad Tjai (Jong Islamieten Bond)
Pembantu II : R. Katja Soengkana (Pemoeda Indonesia)
Pembantu III : Senduk (Jong Celebes)
Pembantu IV : Johanes Leimena (yong Ambon)
Pembantu V : Rochjani Soe’oed (Pemoeda Kaoem Betawi)
Peserta :

1. Abdul Muthalib Sangadji
2. Purnama Wulan
3. Abdul Rachman
4. Raden Soeharto
5. Abu Hanifah
6. Raden Soekamso
7. Adnan Kapau Gani
8. Ramelan
9. Amir (Dienaren van Indie)
10. Saerun (Keng Po)
11. Anta Permana
12. Sahardjo
13. Anwari
14. Sarbini
15. Arnold Manonutu
16. Sarmidi Mangunsarkoro
17. Assaat
18. Sartono
19. Bahder Djohan
20. S.M. Kartosoewirjo
21. Dali
22. Setiawan
23. Darsa
24. Sigit (Indonesische Studieclub)
25. Dien Pantouw
26. Siti Sundari
27. Djuanda
28. Sjahpuddin Latif
29. Dr.Pijper
30. Sjahrial (Adviseur voor inlandsch Zaken)
31. Emma Puradiredja
32. Soejono Djoenoed Poeponegoro
33. Halim
34. R.M. Djoko Marsaid
35. Hamami
36. Soekamto
37. Jo Tumbuhan
38. Soekmono
39. Joesoepadi
40. Soekowati (Volksraad)
41. Jos Masdani
42. Soemanang
43. Kadir
44. Soemarto
45. Karto Menggolo
46. Soenario (PAPI & INPO)
47. Kasman Singodimedjo
48. Soerjadi
49. Koentjoro Poerbopranoto
50. Soewadji Prawirohardjo
51. Martakusuma
52. Soewirjo
53. Masmoen Rasid
54. Soeworo
55. Mohammad Ali Hanafiah
56. Suhara
57. Mohammad Nazif
58. Sujono (Volksraad)
59. Mohammad Roem
60. Sulaeman
61. Mohammad Tabrani
62. Suwarni
63. Mohammad Tamzil
64. Tjahija
65. Muhidin (Pasundan)
66. Van der Plaas (Pemerintah Belanda)
67. Mukarno
68. Wilopo
69. Muwardi
70. Wage Rudolf Soepratman
71. Nona Tumbel

Every October 28, the Indonesian nation commemorates Youth Pledge. Youth Pledge for the first time ever united in an attempt to seize independence from Dutch colonial hands. If in the days before the movement took conducted its own independence, ethnic and regional character of the Youth Pledge of struggle after that is nationality. This is new ethno nationalism after the national revival May 20, 1908.
Youth no longer represent the interests of the region and tribe, but on behalf of the Indonesian nation. And interestingly, the initiative is coming from young people not from the elders. Youth with all its idealism able to formulate what would become the future of this nation that constantly seized with the shackles of colonialism. Youth with the spirit of pluralism and stripped of all able to unite all the cloak differences that hamper partition to independence.
It is not surprising that there is confidence without the Youth Pledge of independence of this nation cannot be achieved. Youth Pledge to be a unifying event unanimity embroidery nation’s children. Whereas in an atmosphere of national unity and integrity of all things become possible implemented including repel invaders from the Earth in Indonesia.
One of the weaknesses of the struggle for the independence movement there is no unity, scattered and easily boxed-boxing in the politics of divide.  Gait youth continues in the era of independence when the young men “kidnapped” to Rengasdenglok Sukarno Hatta and then together to formulate the text of the proclamation which was played on August 17, 1945.
Without the text of the proclamation of the role youth cannot be read out in East Pegangsaan 56 by Sukarno Hatta on behalf of the Indonesian nation. At the urging even the threat of Sukarno Hatta youth then “forced” to read the text independence. Role of youth continued in 1966 when the youth became a pioneer in the Old Order regime toppled.
1966 youth movement in the social control finally succeeded in overthrowing the Old Order regime of guided democracy. The role of social control that continued throughout the history of the New Order but with the threat of violence and repression. And at the end of the New Order in 1998 was arguably not the role of a small boy in overthrowing the New Order. The role of youth since the time of the independence movement is not small.
Unfortunately, history proves after successfully overthrowing the regime of arbitrary youths then left. The young men needed only moral support to topple a regime, but after that their work was almost forgotten. In fact, when power tends to corrupt and abuse the power of moral force is expected to youth.
Authority is only needed when there are youth wants. By the time power was successfully grasped, the youth then abandoned. The most obvious evidence is the weakness of government in fostering young people. A youth movement such as up to this moment remains a movement that half-hearted and hot-hot chicken shit. There are no adequate budgetary supports for youth development through youth. No wonder the event is any more youth activities such as dating agents alone. Or the voice summary of the youth who just became carpenters seeking donations during Agustusan.
Governments often have slogans regeneration of the nation, but did not prepare the young generation to be the successor to the future. Not surprisingly, news of the youth also tend to be summary and half-hearted as entangled drugs, promiscuity, criminality because of the narrowness of young people the opportunity to actualize himself. Of course this condition is a challenge for the managers of the state. Allowing youth mired in hedonism scene especially drugs will be demoralizing and their future.
As the country and the government did not give adequate place for the youth, then it will happen in line with the regeneration crisis of leadership. Therefore, the momentum of Indonesian Youth Pledge young people are challenged to prove gait and its role that can do something even smaller for the nation and state. It is time for brave young men collect the government’s promise. And do not let the youth co-opted and fragmented in practical politics and the party which benefits only a handful of people.
Youth Pledge event should be a reflection of many parties that the role of youth should be brought back to life. Youth should be more involved in development and to proactively participate in the life of society, nation and state. Do not let the youth have a short memory just to work, marry, have children and do not have the slightest idea of thinking contributed to the nation. Congratulations celebrate Youth Pledge!

OPINI

Oath of youth is a very important tool in the effort to unify the nation, especially the Indonesian people, because the text of the oath of youths had explained that we are one, namely Indonesia. So, I think warning oath of youth is very important and hoped that everyone dapt always enhance our unity.