Sayuti Melik, the Man Who Types Indonesia’s Proclamation Text

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s independence was made possible by the efforts of many people, including those who worked quietly behind the scenes. One of them was Sayuti Melik, the journalist who typed the final version of Indonesia’s Proclamation of Independence.

Sayuti Melik, whose full name was Mohamad Ibnu Sayuti, was born on November 25, 1908, in Kadisobo, Rejodani, Sleman, Yogyakarta. From an early age, he received an education that helped shape his sense of love for his country.

Before becoming known for his role in the Proclamation, Sayuti Melik was already active in journalism. Through his writings, he promoted nationalist ideas and criticized the colonial government, which also brought him into contact with several figures in Indonesia’s independence movement.

According to the official website of the KPU Papua Pegunungan , Sayuti Melik’s most well-known contribution came in the lead-up to the Proclamation of Independence in 1945. After the Proclamation text was drafted by Soekarno, Mohammad Hatta, and Ahmad Soebardjo at the residence of Admiral Tadashi Maeda on the night of August 16, 1945, the handwritten draft was handed to Sayuti Melik to be typed.

While typing the text, Sayuti Melik made several adjustments to its spelling and format to make it more suitable as an official document. One notable change was the replacement of the phrase “wakil-wakil bangsa Indonesia” or “representatives of the Indonesian people” with “Atas nama bangsa Indonesia,” meaning “On behalf of the Indonesian nation.”

After Indonesia gained independence, Sayuti Melik remained active in politics and journalism. He served as a member of the House of Representatives (DPR) and continued his involvement in journalism, although his political journey also included difficult periods, including imprisonment amid the political developments following the revolution.

Sayuti Melik continued to be remembered in Indonesian history for his role in typing the Proclamation text. He died on February 27, 1989, but his contribution to one of the most important moments in Indonesia’s history remains part of the nation’s collective memory.