High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Merdeka Palace (English: or Independence Palace, Indonesian: Istana Merdeka, Dutch: Paleis Koningsplein), is a palace in Central Jakarta, Indonesia, used as the official residence of the President of the Republic of Indonesia. The palace is located directly in front of Merdeka Square and The National Monument. The palace previously served as a residence for the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies during the colonial era. In 1949, the palace was renamed Merdeka Palace, "merdeka" is an Indonesian word for "freedom" or "independence". Merdeka Palace together with Negara Palace, along with a few structures in the complex, such as Wisma Negara (English: State Guesthouse), Sekretariat Negara (English: State Secretariat), and Bina Graha Building make up the Presidential Palace complex; the center of Indonesian executive authority.