The Youth Pledge

Illustrated by Arsyad

The Youth Pledge (known as Sumpah Pemuda) is the national day in Indonesia which is celebrated at October 28^th. The Indonesia’s Independence is the result of the struggle of Indonesian who were colonized at that time. As Indonesian people were oppressed and become a slave, the youth from many regions strengthened themselves and gathered their power to oppose the colonialists. They wanted to end the suffering by doing  revolutional movements. One of them was the Indonesian Youth Congress which was done for two times led by Sugondo Djojopuspito. As the result, It incited a congress formulation written by Mohammad Yamin. It explained the confession of youth that they admitted three points indicating their identity as Indonesian. Starting from this, it becomes a commitment for Indonesian people until they reach the independence seventeen years later, August 17^th 1945.




There have been many changes after the event. The struggle is still continued until the invaders recognized the Indonesian’s Sovereignty and  left our motherland. Furthermore, they also took part in the political arena. They stepped forward to convey their dissapointment for the president H. Muhammad Soeharto and ousted him from his position. The youth gives a lot of contributions toward the nation’s political condition. 

Nowadays, almost students are not productive. The title “Agent of Change” that is given for us is just a mere romance. Because we live in globalization era which almost instantaneous, we are pampered by technologies and do not want to try when we begin something. We lose our sense of patriotism.We prefer to do for ourselves than for nation.

In this commemoration, the writer persuades all of you, the next generation, to change our behavior and actively contribute to the country. What should we do? As a student, our two first movement is studying and following some social activities such as in Non-General Organization for student. We hope that the youth can be the next generation that have nobility and conscience.I hope they become an authoritative leader. May the day of the pledge of youth be a reflection for us. [Erik]

The original version of SumpahPemuda:

Pertama

Kami, poetra dan poetri Indonesia, mengakoe bertoempah darah satoe, tanah air Indonesia

(Firstly, We the sons and daughters of Indonesia, acknowledge one motherland, Indonesia.)

Kedoea

Kami, poetra dan poetri Indonesia, mengakoe berbangsa yang satoe, bangsa indonesia

(Secondly, We the sons and daughters of Indonesia, acknowledge one nation, the nation of Indonesia.)

Ketiga

Kami, poetra dan poetri Indonesia, mendjoengdjoeng bahasa persatoean, bahasa indonesia

(Thirdly, We the sons and daughters of Indonesia, uphold the language of unity, Indonesian.)

Source :

http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumpah_Pemuda

http://search.viva.co.id/search?m=art&q=Tawuran+Pelajar