Cabinet Secretary Teddy: Hundreds of thousands of citizens unite in Independence Day festivities
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said more than 150,000 people packed the Merdeka Palace and National Monument (Monas) area in Jakarta to take part in the series of events marking the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia on Monday (17/8).
“More than 150,000 members of the public attended the series of ceremonies for the Commemoration of the Seconds of the Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia and the Lowering of the Red and White Flag in the Merdeka Palace area, as well as the people’s stage at Monas,” said Cabinet Secretary Teddy in a written statement received on Friday.
Teddy said public enthusiasm was visible from the early hours until the evening, making this year’s independence celebration a shared space for citizens from across the country.
Members of the public had even begun arriving and queuing from 2 a.m. local time. Wearing a variety of traditional attire, they came not only from Jakarta but also from various regions in Indonesia to witness the independence day commemoration at Merdeka Palace directly.
“I even had the opportunity to greet residents who came from Sulawesi, Sumatra, and many other provinces directly,” said Teddy.
This enthusiasm continued to flow throughout the series of independence commemorations.
From the Ceremony Commemorating the Seconds of the Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia to the Ceremony for the Lowering of the Red and White Flag at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, the public took part in the festivities of the 81st Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia.
At the same time, the people’s stage in the Monas area also became a magnet for residents to celebrate independence day together.
The festivities did not stop after the series of ceremonies at the Palace. As evening fell, a sea of people filled the central Jakarta area. More than half a million residents were recorded as present along the Monas area to the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout to continue the independence celebrations.
According to Teddy, the high level of public participation did not merely show enthusiasm in celebrating independence day.
The presence of residents from various regions, backgrounds, and generations provided a powerful picture of the unity that continues to be maintained under the Red and White.
“This sight reminds us once again that the Red and White is not merely a flag. It is our unifier. From various regions, backgrounds, and generations, we are present with the same pride, Indonesia,” he said.
The festivities of the 81st Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia thus became a momentum to reaffirm the spirit of unity while filling independence through the best contributions for the nation.
The Cabinet Secretary invited all members of the public to maintain this spirit in the life of the nation and state.
“Long live the 81st Republic of Indonesia. Let us continue to safeguard unity and fill independence with the best works for the nation,” said Teddy.