Governor: Independence Day celebrations in NTT held modestly
Kupang (ANTARA) - East Nusa Tenggara Governor Laka Lena said the 81st Indonesian Independence Day commemoration in NTT this year was held modestly as a form of empathy for the people of Flores who are facing the impact of an earthquake disaster.
“This is part of us sharing in the conditions occurring on Flores Island,” he said after attending the 81st Indonesian Independence Day ceremony in Kupang on Monday.
He said the NTT Provincial Government did not hold ceremonial activities or public festivities after the ceremony. The flag-lowering ceremony on Monday afternoon (17/8) was also held modestly without additional events, including without a state toast.
According to him, the policy also serves as an effort to redirect government attention and resources towards strengthening coordination in handling the earthquake impact in Flores.
“After this event there are no other agendas, we disperse immediately. Each coordinates with their respective agencies, through their respective channels, to prepare for handling starting this afternoon and onwards,” he said.
Melki also urged all regional heads on the Flores mainland to still hold the 81st Indonesian Independence Day ceremony, albeit modestly and only as a flag ceremony.
On the other hand, the NTT Provincial Government maintained the NTT Provincial Development Exhibition because the event involves more than 600 MSME actors and communities who depend on the exhibition for their economic activities.
However, the exhibition has been directed to become part of a solidarity movement for communities affected by the Flores earthquake. Profits and donations collected will also be directed towards assisting disaster management in Flores.
“At the end of the exhibition, the total donations successfully collected from the people of Kupang City and its surroundings will be announced, to be distributed to communities affected by the earthquake in Flores,” he said.
Amid the grief over Flores, Melki invited the people of NTT to remain optimistic and to make the spirit of independence a strength in facing the disaster.
He reminded again of the importance of the spirit of mutual cooperation that is part of the nation’s struggle, including the ideas of Bung Karno that were once formulated in Ende, NTT.
“With the spirit of mutual cooperation we can weather any historical storm. What matters is togetherness and mutual cooperation,” he stressed.