Crowds Show Enthusiasm as Presidential Security Force Conducts Guard Change Ceremony at Merdeka Palace

Crowds gather around Merdeka Palace to watch the ceremonial handover of palace guard duties by the Presidential Security Force (Paspampres) on Sunday (02/15).

Crowds gathered around Merdeka Palace in Jakarta to watch the Presidential Security Force (Paspampres) conduct a ceremonial handover of palace guard duties on Sunday (02/15).

The guard change ceremony, which is a standard security mechanism, has become a public attraction for local people who were exercising or visiting the palace area.

Since the morning, people have shown enthusiasm to watch the transition of security duties. Some of them deliberately came from far away, while others spontaneously stopped by to see firsthand the discipline, unity, and professionalism of the palace security force in carrying out their state responsibilities.

Fadil, a cyclist from East Jakarta, said it was his first time watching the ceremony and that the procession was inspiring.

“Today I watched the duty handover ceremony. This was my first time seeing something like this, and it was great,” he said, expressing appreciation for the friendly atmosphere among the security personnel and the public, which he interpreted as a reflection of the palace’s closeness to the people.

“It shows that there is no distinction. People can see the activities taking place after the duty handover within the palace grounds,” he said.

Echoing a similar sentiment, Nanik, a Jakarta resident who has watched the ceremony three times, said that it is an enjoyable experience.

Meanwhile, Suprianto, a cyclist from the neighboring city of Bekasi, stated that the event has a positive impact on the relations between security personnel and the public.

“It is quite good, quite impressive. I am very happy to see it. Holding [the ceremony] every week seems like a good idea. It strengthens the ties between the people and the defenders of the nation,” he said while expressing hope that the ceremony continues to be held to eliminate the distance between the palace and the people.

“Although it is a security measure, it gets people closer, so there is no distance between the palace and the people,” he remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (DH/LW)