East Kalimantan Tourism Office to Hoist Flag Underwater with Whale Sharks for Independence Day

The East Kalimantan Tourism Office (Dispar Kaltim) has scheduled a spectacular underwater Red and White flag-hoisting ceremony in the waters of Pulau Miang, East Kutai Regency, to enliven the 81st Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia. The event is designed as a strategic move to introduce the marine tourism potential of Benua Etam to a national audience.

Head of Dispar Kaltim, Muhammad Faisal, stated in Samarinda on Wednesday that the unique agenda will involve only 12 divers, but the procession will be accompanied by a school of whale sharks. The activity involves 12 professional divers from Dispar Kaltim and Yekhalis Scuba School (SSI), supported by coverage from several national media outlets.

Based on a survey by an expert team, a resident population of six to seven whale sharks was discovered in the waters of Pulau Miang. Interestingly, this population has been identified as a community distinct from the whale shark group popular in the waters of Talisayan, Berau Regency.

Faisal revealed that the main objective of the activity is to expose East Kalimantan’s tourism nationally and to promote Pulau Miang as a new premier destination. The entire rare moment of the flag-hoisting will be recorded in high-quality video, with the footage set to be broadcast widely on 17 August 2026, coinciding with the moment of the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence. Faisal is optimistic that Pulau Miang has bright prospects to become a new tourism magnet for East Kalimantan due to its exceptionally pristine underwater beauty.

Through this independence day momentum, Dispar Kaltim aims to send a strong message that the spirit of the Red and White flag flies not only firmly on land but also resonates to the bottom of the archipelago’s seas.