Central Java Deputy Governor Highlights School Dropouts at Leprid Record Parade

Semarang marked Heroes’ Day 2026 by holding the third Merah Putih Parade at Pancasila Field in Simpang Lima, Semarang, on Tuesday (10 November). The event set a record with the Indonesian World Records Museum (Leprid).

The procession featured a 1,945-metre-long flag and 2,026 portraits of national heroes. Around 7,000 participants from various sections of society took part in the event.

Central Java Deputy Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen praised the organisers’ initiative in staging a parade involving thousands of people from different communities. He said the event was a way to foster nationalism and remind the public of the nation’s history of struggle.

“This is to foster our sense of nationalism and honour the service of the heroes,” he said in a written statement on Tuesday (10 November).

Yasin, known as Gus Yasin, explained that the flag’s length of 1,945 metres was a reminder of the year Indonesia gained independence. The Garuda Pancasila, meanwhile, is the national emblem and a symbol of unity and national identity.

He said the current generation’s struggle differed from that of earlier heroes, who took up arms to win and defend independence. Today, the public has a responsibility to make use of independence by building a better and more prosperous Indonesia.

One issue of concern to Gus Yasin is ensuring that every child in the country has access to education. He urged the public to take an interest if they come across children in their neighbourhoods who have dropped out of school.

“If a neighbour, relative or friend has dropped out of school, encourage them to return. Report it to us so that we can get the children who will carry on our nation’s future back into education,” he said.

Gus Yasin also urged young people to keep learning and persevere with their education, saying that Indonesia’s future was in the hands of the next generation.

“To the younger generation: keep learning and work hard, because Indonesia will be in your hands,” he said.

Separately, Berto Izaak Doko, chairman of the Central Board of the Panca Marga Youth organisation of the Indonesian Veterans Legion (PP PPM-LVRI), said the third Merah Putih Parade was an effort to revive the spirit of national unity. Through the event, the organisation wanted to show that diversity was no reason for division.

He said the red-and-white flag was more than a piece of cloth: it represented the struggle, honour and dignity of the Indonesian nation.

“When thousands of people from different backgrounds come together in one procession, we are telling the world that Indonesia is a great nation and cannot easily be divided,” he said.

Berto added that the next generation was responsible for safeguarding and continuing the values of their predecessors’ struggle. Being part of the Indonesian nation, he said, meant not only having citizenship but also taking responsibility for the country’s future.

Around 5,000 senior high school and vocational school students took part as flag-bearers at the event. They were welcomed by around 1,000 junior high school students.

Alongside the students, the parade involved community organisations, religious institutions, professional organisations and other groups. The total number of participants was estimated at between 6,500 and 7,000.

In recognition of the achievement, Leprid presented an award to Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi. Leprid chairman Paulus Pangka handed the certificate to Taj Yasin for the Merah Putih parade featuring a procession of 2,026 portraits of heroes.

The third Merah Putih Parade was held in 2026. It began on Jalan Pemuda, in front of Semarang City Hall, before proceeding to the Simpang Lima area.