Jakarta (ANTARA) - The changing of the guard ceremony at Merdeka\nPalace, or Serah Terima Kawal Istana Merdeka, has become a must-see\nattraction eagerly awaited by the public thronging the car-free day\n(CFD) every Sunday morning along the protocol roads around the\npalace.<\/p>\n
Since it was first held in February 2024, the Serah Terima Kawal\nIstana Merdeka procession has been routinely conducted right on Jalan\nMedan Merdeka Utara, Jakarta, every Sunday at 08:00 WIB, including today\ncoinciding with CFD hours in the Central Jakarta area.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of residents from various regions have been spilling onto\nthe streets of Medan Merdeka Utara up to the Taman Pandang area opposite\nMerdeka Palace since 07:00 WIB.<\/p>\n
Among those groups of residents, there are also several motorcycle\ncommunities, from Vespa, RX King, to PCX groups from the Jabodetabek\narea, joining in anticipation of the Serah Terima Kawal Istana Merdeka\nprocession.<\/p>\n
The series of events for the Serah Terima Kawal Istana Merdeka begins\naround 07:30 WIB, kicked off by a performance from two female\nmotorcyclists who are Paspampres members showcasing their zigzag riding\nskills at high speed.<\/p>\n
The act by the two female Paspampres members was immediately met with\nenthusiastic applause from the public who had already crowded the road\nin front of Merdeka Palace\u2019s gate.<\/p>\n
After the two female motorcyclists performed, six motorcyclists from\nthe State Protocol Guard Battalion of Paspampres continued by\ndemonstrating their ability to ride motorcycles in a zigzag pattern from\ntwo different directions at high speed.<\/p>\n
Following the motorcyclists\u2019 display, a group of female Paspampres\nsoldiers proceeded to present a spontaneous dance performance that\nturned into a flash mob after being joined by the public.<\/p>\n
Several hit songs, such as Gemu Fa Mi Re (Maumere), accompanied the\nflash mob and were enthusiastically received by residents who followed\nthe dance moves led by Paspampres.<\/p>\n
The ceremony proceeded solemnly<\/p>\n
At exactly 08:00 WIB, the lively atmosphere in front of Merdeka\nPalace turned solemn. Residents awaiting the changing of the guard\nceremony at Merdeka Palace collectively cleared the central area of the\nroad and followed the proceedings with reverence.<\/p>\n
Then, the mounted troops from the Paspampres Cavalry Battalion\nentered slowly into the middle of the road in front of Merdeka Palace,\nfollowed by several soldiers in special uniforms complete with\nrifles.<\/p>\n
After that, the ceremony concluded with a photo session with the\npublic alongside the Paspampres mounted troops and other guard\nsoldiers.<\/p>\n
The Paspampres troops participating in the Serah Terima Kawal Istana\nMerdeka wore special uniforms, one of which is used when soldiers\nwelcome state guests.<\/p>\n
That photo session was lively, especially when colourful Vespa\nmotorcycles from the community were parked right in front of the guard\ntroops, capturing moments of togetherness in front of Merdeka\nPalace.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/entering-the-third-month-the-presidential-palace-guard-handoff-becomes-a-must-see-attraction-at-car-free-day-1776592247", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }