Makatur Monument: A World War II Landmark in Papua with Lake Sentani View
- 20 Sep 2026 22:35 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
RRI.CO.ID, Jayapura – In Jayapura, Papua, a monument has its roots in the Allied forces' struggle against Japan during World War II. Uniquely, the monument pays tribute to Douglas MacArthur, a prominent United States military commander.
The MacArthur Monument, locally known as Makatur Monument (Tugu Makatur), is located in the Sentani District, west of Jayapura. Its hilltop location offers visitors scenic views of the surrounding area, including the iconic Lake Sentani.
The monument's history dates back to 1944, when American troops landed in Jayapura, then known as Hollandia. At the time, Douglas MacArthur served as Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific Area.
According to indonesiakaya.com, MacArthur ordered his troops to establish a headquarters in Hollandia, near the hill where the Makatur Monument now stands. A memorial was eventually erected at the site; however, locals pronounced the name "MacArthur" as "Makatur", giving rise to its local name.
The Makatur Monument primarily features a pentagon in yellow and black, with reliefs depicting a spear and a sword. At the base, a plaque describes the General Headquarters of the Southwest Pacific Area in both Indonesian and English.
The best time to visit the Makatur Monument is in the late afternoon, just before sunset. On clear days, visitors can enjoy the sunlight illuminating the sky before the sun dips below the surrounding mountain ranges.
To reach the Makatur Monument, visitors must travel along winding, uphill roads for approximately 15 minutes by vehicle from Sentani Airport. The journey also passes through a military complex, as the monument is located within the grounds of the Indonesian Army’s Cendrawasih Military Command Regiment.
Despite its location within the military compound, the monument is open to the public free of charge. Visitors are encouraged to keep the area clean and help preserve the historic site, and voluntary donations may also be made to support its maintenance.
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