PANGKALPINANG – The Griya Timah building, part of the PT Timah Tbk headquarters in Pangkalpinang, is a historic site where the Indonesian Youth Force (API) and the Indonesian People's Movement (GRI) were established on Bangka Island.
To honor the youth’s struggle during that time, who became the vanguard for Bangka’s security, the Pangkalpinang City Government and the DPD KNPI Pangkalpinang held a ceremony to commemorate the 96th Youth Pledge Day in the courtyard of Griya Timah, PT Timah Pangkalpinang, on Monday (October 28, 2024).
The Griya Timah building remains well-preserved and is maintained with heritage design. PT Timah uses this building to welcome guests visiting PT Timah.
Acting Mayor of Pangkalpinang, Budi Utama, who led the ceremony, explained the reason for holding the event at Griya Timah. On August 22, 1945, during the Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence (PPKI) meeting, the National Committee, the Indonesian National Party, and the BKR Formation Body were established in Jakarta, and the People's Security Body was also formed on Bangka Island.
In early September 1945, former Heiho (auxiliary troops) and giyugun (volunteer troops) gathered at a schoolhouse on Jalan Jagal, Pangkalpinang, specifically at Budi Mulia Laurdes School.
Subsequently, the Indonesian Youth Force (API), an organization comprised of local youth, was founded. This organization was initiated by youth leaders in Pangkalpinang, such as Ismail Ali and his peers.
Besides API, community leaders formed the Indonesian People's Movement to protect Bangka from enemy threats.
“The establishment of the Indonesian Youth Force and the Indonesian People's Movement took place where we hold today’s ceremony, now known as Griya Timah, owned by PT Timah Tbk,” said Budi Utama.
Budi also expressed his gratitude to PT Timah Tbk for lending the venue for the Youth Pledge Day ceremony, stating this was not the first time PT Timah has supported historical events by sharing its assets.
“We wanted a different location, and Griya Timah is historically significant for the youth movement. We sent a request, and PT Timah responded magnificently. This is the second time we’ve borrowed a historic venue, and it was approved each time,” he noted.
In this moment, Budi encouraged all youth in Pangkalpinang City to be quality individuals who respect their parents, teachers, and lecturers.
“Be a generation that upholds the values of the nation, not merely continuing its legacy. We must know the historical landmarks in Pangkalpinang. So, as we conduct the ceremony, we also educate that Pangkalpinang is truly a historic city for Indonesia,” he stated.
Meanwhile, DPD KNPI Pangkalpinang Chairman, Jonavan Tiranda, expressed his hope on Youth Pledge Day that young people would continue to adapt to technological and digital advancements without losing sight of historical values and the youth spirit.
“After coordinating with the city government, we learned that Griya Timah has youth-related historical significance, as young fighters once gathered here in unity for the independence struggle. We appreciate PT Timah’s facilitation, and we hope this collaboration continues,” he said.
The 96th Youth Pledge Day ceremony was attended by students, youth organizations, government officials of Pangkalpinang City, and the Pangkalpinang regional coordination forum (Forkompinda). (*)
