President Jokowi Leads Independence Day Ceremony at Merdeka Palace

President Jokowi hands Indonesian flag to a member Paskibraka, in the ceremony of the Commemoration of the 74th Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (17/8). (Photo by: PR/Anggun)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, on Saturday (17/8), led the ceremony commemorating the 74^th Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia at the yard of the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, wearing traditional attire from Klungkung, Bali.

This year’s ceremony was different from that of last year. At 10.00 a.m., President Jokowi – First Lady Ibu Iriana and Vice President Jusuf Kalla – Mufidah Jusuf Kalla entered the yard riding the Indonesia-1 Presidential car.

Marine Colonel Hariyo Poernomo acted as commander in the flag-raising ceremony. The ceremony began when the sound of cannon echoed for 17 times.

Salma El Mutafaqqiha Putri Achzaabi, a student who represented Central Java was chosen to carry the national flag from President Jokowi, along with three other team members, namely Rafi Ahmad Falah from Banten, Rayhan Alfaro Ferdinand Siregar from Special Region of Jakarta, and Rangga Wirabrata Mahardika from West Java.

The 2019 Flag Hoisting Troop members were representatives of each province in Indonesia, and have been inaugurated by the President on Thursday, 15 August 2019, at the State Palace. As many as 68 youths have vowed the Pledge of Putra Indonesia and were ready to carry out their duties.

Also attended the ceremony were the 5^th Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri,  the 6^th Indonesian Vice President Try Sutrisno, the 11^th Indonesian Vice President Boediono, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and a number of Working Cabinet ministers. (DND/GUN/EN)

Translated by : Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Edited by : Rany A. Subachrum, Mia M. Bonaedy