Isn’t it sobering to stand before the Tugu Peringatan Perjuangan Rakyat Serpong? This monument symbolizes a fierce struggle. It marks a time when 1,000 Serpong locals stood against Dutch forces.
This Tugu Peringatan Perjuangan Rakyat Serpong commemorates a bloody chapter. After Indonesia declared independence the Dutch still occupied Serpong. The people of Serpong fought to expel them. Many lives were lost in the conflict. No less than 1,000 people died. They were buried at the battle site. Later the city government moved the bodies for road construction.
The people of Serpong erected this monument to honor the fallen. The Tugu Peringatan Proklamasi reads: “17 Agustus 1945. Established on Tuesday, 6 p.m. December 27, 1949. People of Serpong.”
For years the Tugu Peringatan Perjuangan Rakyat Serpong fell into disrepair. From 2012 to 2015 it was hidden by illegal street vendors. People passing by would often litter around the monument.
Thankfully the city government revitalized the area in 2017. The Tugu Perjuangan Rakyat Serpong is now visible again clean and green. Illegal buildings were removed. This ensures that future generations remember the sacrifices made. It is important to preserve this monument as a cultural heritage site.
The Tugu Perjuangan Rakyat Serpong was officially inaugurated on November 10, 1954. It stands at Proliman on the old main street and market road of Serpong.
The history of the Tugu Peringatan Perjuangan Rakyat Serpong has different versions. One says it commemorates the people’s war. K.H. Ibrahim and Abuya Hatim attacked NICA troops in Serpong in February 1946. They came from Maja and Parung Panjang with 400 men.
Before attacking they coordinated with TKR forces in Pamulang and Cisauk. But TKR advised against attacking with traditional weapons in daylight. K.H. Ibrahim and Abuya Hatim were determined. They refused NICA’s offer to surrender. NICA forces opened fire. The imbalanced battle caused many deaths. K.H. Ibrahim and Abuya Hatim also died.
Syahrudin head of the Serpong Tempoe Doeloe community offers a different view. He believes the monument commemorates the proclamation of independence not the battle. He says it marks the people’s struggle in Serpong.
Regardless of differing opinions the Tugu Perjuangan Rakyat Serpong stands as a reminder. It marks the historical struggle of the Tangerang people. The monument is easy to find. It is located at a traffic circle on Jalan Raya Cilenggang. It’s not far from the Boen Hay Bio Temple.
In 1946 approximately 1,000 people led by Kyai Ibrahim attacked NICA soldiers. Kyai Ibrahim led them to expel the NICA from the PTP Cilenggang Serpong area. The NICA troops ambushed the people near the Dutch prison which is now the Satpas SIM Serpong office. The NICA refused to leave. Kyai Ibrahim struck a soldier with his sword. The other soldiers shot Kyai Ibrahim. A fierce battle broke out. The poorly armed people suffered about 700 deaths.
The Tugu Peringatan Perjuangan Rakyat Serpong erected in 1949 commemorates this event. But some graves including Kyai Ibrahim’s were lost to road construction. It is hoped that the government preserves this historical monument. A local regulation protecting cultural heritage is needed. This will ensure that Tangsel does not lose more historical sites.
The Tugu Peringatan Proklamasi on the monument indicates its purpose. It was erected at 6 p.m. on December 27 1949 by the people of Serpong. The faded red and white flag symbolizes the battle in May 1946.