The sound of Wage Rudolf Supratman’s song “Indonesia Raya” is an integral part of every Indonesian Independence Day celebration. But without the help of two Chinese Indonesians, the song may never have become the revered anthem it is today.
Ang Yan Goan, who was the director and editor pf the newspaper Sin Po, helped Wage Rudolf Supratman publish the lyrics to the song. Yo Kim Tjan, the owner of the Roxi Cinema in Tanjung Priok helped get the song recorded, including a kroncong version. Ravando Lie, a PhD candidate in History at the University of Melbourne tells the intriguing story of Indonesia’s anthem.
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