The Rengasdengklok House is a historical tourist destination that holds significant value in the journey toward Indonesian independence. This building witnessed the Rengasdengklok Incident on August 16, 1945, when the youth faction brought Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta to accelerate the proclamation of independence.
Today, the Rengasdengklok Historical House is open to the public and is often a destination for educational tours. The TRAC team had the opportunity to visit there a few months ago to retrace the steps of the Proclamation Leader’s struggle.
If you’d like to take your children to learn about that event, this weekend might be the perfect time. But before you go, check out these interesting facts first.
The Original Owner of the Rengasdengklok House
The Rengasdengklok Historical House was the private residence of Djiaw Kie Siong, a farmer of Chinese descent born in Pisangsambo, Karawang, in 1880. Besides farming, he was also known as a bamboo trader and a member of the Defenders of the Homeland (Pembela Tanah Air or PETA).
Djiaw Kie Siong built the house on the banks of the Citarum River in Rengasdengklok District in 1920 to live in with his wife and children.
Throughout his life, Djiaw Kie Siong was known as someone who cared deeply about the Indonesian independence movement. His house was chosen as a hiding place for Sukarno and Hatta leading up to the proclamation.
For his contributions, Djiaw Kie Siong received a certificate of appreciation from the then Commander of Kodam Siliwangi, Major General Ibrahim Adjie, in 1961.
Why Sukarno-Hatta Were Brought to the Rengasdengklok House
This building, owned by Djiaw Kie Siong's family, is deeply historic because it preserves stories of Indonesia's struggle for independence.
On August 16, 1945, the youth faction brought Sukarno and Hatta from Jakarta to Rengasdengklok to urge both figures to proclaim independence immediately without waiting for approval from the Japanese military government or a meeting of the Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence (PPKI).
The Rengasdengklok Historical House was chosen because it was only about 80 km from Jakarta and was considered safe due to its proximity to the PETA headquarters.
In terms of military tactics, Rengasdengklok was considered free from Japanese military oversight and had several evacuation routes in case of an emergency.
Current Condition of the Rengasdengklok Historical House
Because the water volume of the Citarum River continued to rise and posed a flood risk, the Rengasdengklok House was relocated to the Kalimati area.
Today, the building holds cultural heritage status and is maintained by the third generation of Djiaw Kie Siong's family to preserve the history of Rengasdengklok. As a result, the building remains sturdy and open to the general public.
In terms of architecture, the Rengasdengklok House retains signature elements of old Chinese buildings, complete with wooden walls, a limasan roof, and terracotta tiled floors.
Inside the room, there are photos of Sukarno and Hatta on the walls, the bedrooms used by both figures to rest, and an altar table for ancestor worship.
Location and Access to the Rengasdengklok House from Jakarta
The Rengasdengklok Historical House is located at Jalan Perintis Kemerdekaan No. 33, Rengasdengklok Utara, Rengasdengklok District, Karawang Regency, West Java. You can reach it within about a two-hour drive from Jakarta.
Plus, the access is quite easy: take the Jakarta–Cikampek Toll Road toward the East Karawang or West Karawang Toll Gates, then continue toward Tanjungpura until you reach Rengasdengklok.
Explore Historical Tourism More Practically with TRAC Car Rental
For a more relaxed trip to the Rengasdengklok Historical House—without having to worry about the route or your vehicle’s condition—you can rent a car in Jakarta from TRAC.
TRAC offers a complete selection of cars, ranging from LCGCs and city cars to family MPVs with spacious interiors and large trunks to make your trip much more comfortable.
Check out and book TRAC car rentals in Jakarta easily on the TRAC website or the TRACtoGo app. Download the app from the App Store or Play Store.
If you need last-minute transportation—for example, if you didn’t have time to book in advance or only decided to go on the day of your trip—you can rent a car instantly using the Pick Up Now feature.
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