Independence Day: Terrorism convicts at Cipinang Prison become flag-raising troops

Terrorism inmates at the Class I Cipinang Penitentiary in East Jakarta served as the flag-raising squad (paskibra) during the ceremony marking the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia.

“The transformation of terrorism convicts cannot stop at formal statements, but must grow into an awareness reflected in attitudes and actions,” said Head of Class I Cipinang Prison Syarpani in Jakarta on Monday.

The inmates entrusted to serve as the flag-raising squad were MH, EF, and AM. The three are at different stages of rehabilitation.

AM has declared an oath of allegiance to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), while EF and MH are moving towards the NKRI oath process.

Together with other inmates, he said, the three took part in raising the Red and White flag as a space to build discipline, responsibility, cooperation, while strengthening national values.

“Returning to the NKRI is not merely a statement, but a process. When national values grow and are realised through discipline, responsibility, care, and the willingness to benefit others, that is where rehabilitation finds its meaning,” Syarpani explained.

“Change is not only seen from the oath spoken, but also from the willingness to undergo the process and take a positive role in daily life,” he said.

The 81st Independence Day commemoration, themed “A Sovereign, Just and Prosperous Indonesia”, carried meaning beyond a mere ceremony.

Behind the flying Red and White flag, there is a process of reaffirming a sense of nationhood; in the educational space grows a desire to be useful; and within families grows hope that the change will be maintained.

Through consistent and humane rehabilitation, Cipinang Prison continues to open space for every inmate to improve themselves and prepare for social reintegration.

“Because returning to Indonesia is not only about an oath, but how national values come alive again in attitudes, choices, and actions,” he said.

Meanwhile, MH admitted that after undergoing rehabilitation and moving towards the process of loyalty to the NKRI, the trust to take part in raising the Red and White flag became a momentum to reaffirm national values that had once been eroded.

In addition, EF’s mother, with the initials ESE, said that EF’s process of change was beginning to show through choices growing from personal awareness.

Amid the process towards the NKRI oath, on his own initiative he began to get involved as an education volunteer at the Warga Mandiri Community Learning Centre (PKBM) at Cipinang Prison, helping with equivalency education activities for fellow inmates.

She admitted to being proud and moved to learn that her son was trusted to take part in raising the Red and White flag while also beginning to actively help with educational activities.

“As a mother, I am moved and proud to hear that EF has been trusted to be part of the Red and White flag-raising squad. I am also pleased to know that he now wants to help with educational activities,” said ESE.

ESE hopes that this becomes a path for EF to continue changing, to become better, and eventually to return to his family and society as a person who is useful.