17-metre flag unfurled at Proclamation moment in Tarakan
A 17 by 8 metre Red and White flag was unfurled at the Grand Tarakan Mall intersection in Tarakan City, North Kalimantan, during the commemoration of the moment of the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence on Monday.
The unfurling of the flag involved around 30 people from the police, community groups and the public at 11.17 WITA.
As the moment of the Proclamation was commemorated, vehicles passing through the intersection came to a stop and the sirens of the Tarakan City Government fire engines were sounded.
Several drivers then got out of their vehicles and, together with members of the public, observed the commemoration of the Proclamation moment and sang the national anthem Indonesia Raya while standing at attention.
According to Che, the tradition of unfurling the large Red and White flag has been carried on since 2015.
“Initially our flag was about five metres long and three metres wide. We then kept increasing its size until it is now 17 by 8 metres,” he said.
Che said the flag is prepared for the 17 August commemoration and is also used in various activities with a nationalist theme.
“Even though some of our friends may rarely attend ceremonies anymore, we must not miss the moment of the Proclamation. We thought there had to be something that could move them. In the end we chose to unfurl the Red and White flag,” he said.
Che said members of the public had begun arriving at the location from around 09.00 WITA even though the activity was only carried out at 11.17 WITA.
“Public enthusiasm was extraordinary. Our activity was at around 11.17 WITA, but from 09.00 people had already arrived. Some even contacted us to ask whether the activity would still go ahead,” he said.
“This event is held every year, so it is a manifestation of our love for the homeland,” he said.
According to Ardi, the commemoration of independence is not only carried out through formal ceremonies, but can also involve the public directly in remembering the struggle of the heroes.