JAKARTA 2008, the 22^nd Asian International Stamp Exhibition will be held on 23^rd ~ 28^th October 2008 at the Jakarta International Trade Center, Mangga Dua Square, Jakarta, Indonesia. The event is jointly organized by Indonesian Philatelic Association, the Directorate General of Posts and Telecommunications of the Republic of Indonesia and PT. Pos Indonesia.

Click here to see the photo from the event

JAKARTA 2008 is conducted to commemorate of the 80^th years of Sumpah Pemuda and bicentennial of Post Road (from Anyer West Java to Panarukan East Java). Organized under the patronage of the Federation of Inter-Asia Philately (FIAP), the objectives of this international stamp exhibition are expanding and developing friendly relations and close cooperation among FIAP members as well as promoting every aspect of philately in the FIAP region. The FIAP coordinator of JAKARTA 2008 is Mr. Tay Peng Hian.

To promote the JAKARTA 2008, the Directorate General of Posts and Telecommunications issue 3 types of special Minisheet which call "Road to Jakarta 2008".

Road to Jakarta 2008 #1, issue on January 20, 2008

Road to Jakarta 2008 #2, issue on March 29, 2008

Road to Jakarta 2008 #3, issue on June 22, 2008

A Brief History

Although Jakarta's founding is officially regarded as having taken place on June 22nd 1527, the actual history of the area goes back a long time before that date. Geologists presumed that the land where Jakarta existed today formed by sediment, carried by rivers from West Java hinterland about 5,000 years ago.

According to records written by Chinese seafarers, a small village had already existed in delta area of Ciliwung river about 5th century A.D, the area was part of a kingdom name Holotan, located in the area known as Bogor in the present. In 452 A.D, Holotan was seized by Hinduism kingkom, Tarumanegara. At the period of Sriwijaya kingdom in southern Sumatra, Sunda Kelapa port was a trading link between the Buddhism kingdom, Sriwijaya and Java.

A map in year 1470. drawn by Fra Mauro and kept in Pallazo Vecchio, Florence, Italy, indicated a port located in Java north seashore. At that time, Sunda Kelapa was part of Hinduism kingdom, Pakuan, dominating Bogor to south. According to Portuguese record, Tome Pires, Sunda Kelapa was the best trading port in the area, serving ships came from Sumatra, Tanjung Pura (Kalimantan), Malaca, Makasar, Java, and Madura. Gold, fruits and the other agricultural products was sent by ships from Sunda Kelapa to Malaca, so was pepper, cane sugar and peanuts grown by local farmers.

In 1522, Govovernor d'Albuquerque sent Hendrique Leme to meet king of Pakuan to ask for permission to build trading center in Sunda Kelapa. The agreement was immortalized on a stone monument (Padrao), dated on August 12th 1522, found in 1918 and kept it in National Museum today. Demak force under Fatahillah command took over Sunda Kelapa and renamed the city Jayakarta (the city of glory) on June 22nd 1527; the date was commemorated as the Jakarta foundation today.

In 1610, the Dutch led by Pieter Both anchored in Jayakarta and had permission to build trading center and fortification. In 1618 Jayakarta and British attacked the fortification build by VOC. In 1619, VOC led by Governor General Jan Pieterszoon Coen arrived in Maluku by 16 ships and made destruction of Jayakarta. A citu name Batavia was built above the ruins.

In 1807, Herman Willem Daendels was appointed as Governor General Indies Netherlands. Daendels had a success in making Batavia as a full population city to south. A new palace was built in Northern Benteng Square, now, known as building of Department of Finance. Not long afterward, a new residence stood on Merdeka Square, known as Merdeka Palace ( Istana Merdeka ) in the present. In the residence, Thomas Stamford live. In 1820, the residence was bought by the Dutch government and extended into the official Dutch Gevernor General residence. A new port was build, Tanjung Priok, to serve the growing trade.

In the dawn of 20th century, during the growing of Batavia as government seat and as a trading center, it was also a place where national movement was born. Budi Oetomo was the first national movement came from (Indonesische clubhuis) an Indonesian club, at Stovia building, an Indonesian Medical school located in Jalan Kramat Jaya Raya 106. One of the Indonesian famous leaders was Mohammad Hoesni Thamrin, a Betawi man, born and grown up in Batavia. On the Indonesian Youth Congress in 28 October 1928, Youth Oath was taken and Indonesian National anthem was sung for the first time. From that time, the city later, named Jakarta played an important role as the center of Indonesian Independent movement.

At the beginning of Japanese occupation in 1942, Batavia renamed Jakarta. Many avenues and squares were given Japanesenames. Even the mayor of Jakarta was Japanese, however the vice was an Indonesian, Soewiryo.Japanese occupation in Jakarta lasted only three years. During that time, no development was made in Jakarta as all activities were pointed to war.

Two days after Japan surrendered to the ally, Indonesian independent was proclaimed by Soekarno and Muhammad Hata on August 17th 1945 at jalan Pegangsaan Timur 56 Jakarta (now Jalan Proklamasi). The government administration of Jakartahanded over by Japanese to Indonesian hands. The building of city municipal was located on governor office in the present. Part of the building waas still preserved. The first Indonesian commemoration was held in Jakarta on August 17th 1946, although, the government seat, at that time was in Yogyakarta. After the first Dutch military aggression on July 21st 1645, the Dutch took over the municipal building and built their own government administration. During the period, The Dutch authorities extended the city to south by opening and constructing a satellite city, known as Kebayoran Baru today. On December 27th 1945, the Dutch officially acknowledged Indonesian Independent. The government administration of Jakarta was handed over to Indonesia, and the government seat was removed back to Jakarta. Indonesian first president Soekarno made the palace as his residence renamed Istana Merdeka.