President Jokowi Leads Independence Day Flag-Lowering Ceremony
President Jokowi leads the flag lowering ceremony at the Merdeka Palace Courtyard, Jakarta, Thursday (08/17). (Photo by: Agung/PR)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Thursday (08/17) led a flag-lowering Ceremony on the 78th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, at the Merdeka Palace Courtyard, Jakarta.
The series of ceremonies began with the sound of the first trumpet. Then, the ceremonial troop parade entered the front yard of the Merdeka Palace.
President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana Jokowi together with Vice President Ma’ruf Amin and Mrs. Wury Ma’ruf Amin entered the ceremony venue.
Then the Commander of the Ceremony Chief Police Commissioner Victor Dean Mackbon paid an honor to President Jokowi as the Inspector of the Ceremony, then reporting that the ceremony was ready to begin.
The Glorious Indonesia Team then carry out their duties of lowering the Red and White National Flag.
Of the national flag-lowering troop (Paskibraka), Keyla Azzahra Purnama representing South Sumatra province was chosen as the red and white flag bearer, Made Guruh Anggara Putra representing Bali Province and Raja Shiam Al Ghiffary Panjiyoga representing West Java Province were chosen as the flag lowering. The national anthem Indonesia Raya accompanied the procession of lowering the Red and White National Flag.
Next, the flag bearer handed over the Red and White National Flag to the President. The Commander of Ceremony reported to the President that the flag lowering ceremony has ended.
Afterwards, the President witnessed the distribution of bicycle prizes to five guests with the best traditional attire. Furthermore, the President, First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin and Mrs. Wury Ma’ruf Amin left the ceremony venue.
The event continued with a cultural carnival which escorted the return of duplicates of the Red and White National Flag and the Manuscript of the Proclamation from the Merdeka Palace to the National Monument. Duplicates of the Red and White National Flag and the Proclamation Text were brought by the Retired Paskibraka on the Kencana Ki Jaga Rasa Coach to the Independence Room inside the National Monument.
Apart from the flag-lowering ceremony, this ceremony was also celebrated by performances of traditional Indonesian dance and music, namely the Zapin Rodat dance from South Sumatra to the performances of national singers.
The ceremony was attended by heads of state institutions, ambassadors from friendly countries, ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet, as well as around 8,000 other invited guests. (FID/UN) (EST/LW)
