A chilling blast from the past. That’s what this building whispers. This is the Former Embassy of Australia in Jakarta. It stands as a silent witness to a tumultuous history. A history shaped by diplomatic ties and acts of terror.
Let’s rewind to 1935. That’s when Australia’s presence in the Dutch East Indies first took root. A humble trade commissioner arrived in Batavia. His mission was to forge mercantile connections. He set up shop in the Chartered Bank Building. It was a far cry from the grand embassy we see today. The road to full diplomatic relations was long and winding. It was complicated by the British and Dutch involvement in Indonesia. Australia’s initial attempts to establish a consulate-general in 1945 were thwarted. Instead a political representative was sent to the Allied Forces. This was the AFNEI the command controlling liberated areas. William Macmahon Ball was the first such representative. He arrived in November 1945 and returned to Australia only a month later. After several more representatives the Consulate-General was finally established in December 1946. The office was elevated to an embassy in 1950. John Hood became the first Australian ambassador to Indonesia. For decades this embassy served as a symbol of cooperation. It represented the growing bonds between Australia and Indonesia.
However the embassy’s history is not without its dark chapters. On September 9 2004 a car bomb ripped through the area. It claimed the lives of nine people. Over 150 more were injured. The attack shattered the peaceful facade. It highlighted the very real dangers of terrorism. Jemaah Islamiyah claimed responsibility for this horrific act. The perpetrators were later apprehended and sentenced to death.
The attack prompted the construction of a new secure facility. In 2016 this new embassy opened its doors. The complex covers over 50000 square meters. It cost $415 million. It stands as a testament to Australia’s commitment to Indonesia despite the challenges faced. It is now Australia’s largest and most expensive embassy. It stands as a symbol of resilience and renewed hope. It stands as a reminder of the importance of diplomatic ties between nations.
The Former Embassy of Australia stands before you. It’s a tangible reminder of the complex relationship between our two nations. It serves as a reminder of both the successes and the tragedies of international diplomacy.