By Nik Nurfaqih Nik Wil
JAKARTA, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- Indonesia marked its 81st Independence Day on Monday with a blend of patriotic celebration and solemn remembrance as President Prabowo Subianto led the national ceremony at Merdeka Palace here.
Prabowo read the country’s 1945 Proclamation of Independence and invited Indonesians to honour and remember the national heroes who sacrificed their lives and devoted themselves to securing independence and upholding the nation’s dignity.
The celebration also took a sombre turn as he led a moment of silence and prayers for communities affected by natural disasters in Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara and other parts of the country, including victims of the deadly earthquake that struck Flores over the weekend.
“We also pray for our brothers and sisters affected by natural disasters in Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara and other regions of Indonesia,” he said during the Upacara Peringatan Detik-Detik Proklamasi, or ceremony commemorating the proclamation of Indonesia’s independence.
Monday’s ceremony was part of a series of events marking Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day under the theme ‘Sovereign, Just and Prosperous Indonesia’.
Earlier, a procession carrying the heirloom national flag and the original proclamation text made its way from the National Monument, or Monas, to Merdeka Palace, accompanied by mounted personnel, marching bands and security contingents.
Thousands of members of the public, many dressed in red and white or traditional attire, joined dignitaries and foreign ambassadors at the nearly four-hour celebration, with cultural and musical performances staged throughout the programme.
The celebrations also featured an aerial display involving around 81 aircraft and helicopters, including F-16 and Sukhoi fighter jets, as well as the Airbus A400M military transport aircraft.
Indonesia’s newly acquired Rafale fighter jets also made their public debut during the 81st Independence Day celebrations.
Several ministers and deputy ministers marked Independence Day outside Jakarta, including officials deployed to East Nusa Tenggara, where they also monitored the government’s response to the earthquake.
Prabowo had earlier led a national pilgrimage and sacred reflection at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in Jakarta late Sunday, paying tribute to those who died in the country’s struggle for independence.
-- NNN-BERNAMA