Paskibraka Extends Training Hours at the Palace

State Secretary Minister (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi said Paskibraka received additional training time to adapt to the conditions of the Palace grounds, which differ from their previous training location. One adjustment considered quite important is the thickness of the grass on the Palace grounds, which affects the technical habits of Paskibraka members.

“Yes, because there are also several adjustments. Usually the young people, after training for a long time in a place that is somewhat different from the current one,” said Prasetyo on Wednesday (12/8).

According to Prasetyo, the Paskibraka members were previously accustomed to training on a field with harder grass. Meanwhile, the grass on the Palace grounds is relatively thicker, so they need time to adjust their movements and techniques while on the ceremonial field.

“For example, the thickness of the grass on the Palace grounds technically affects the habits of our young people, who are usually technically used to hard grass or a hard field. At the Palace it is quite thick, so a little adjustment is needed,” he said.

These adjustments then prompted the trainers to request additional training portions. Prasetyo said the request had been approved, including training outside the previously established schedule.

The Paskibraka members are allowed to add training hours independently, both for partial rehearsals and full dress rehearsals. The additional time was given so that they become more accustomed to the conditions of the Palace field before carrying out their main duties.

Amid these preparations, Prasetyo also highlighted the presence of a Paskibraka member from a People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat). He said President Prabowo Subianto likely does not yet know this information in detail because his office has not reported it specifically.

“It seems he does not know yet. Because we have indeed not reported it in detail,” said Prasetyo.

Prasetyo admitted that his office was also surprised and proud when they learned that a participant from a People’s School had successfully passed the national-level Paskibraka selection. The selection process took place across 38 provinces and was carried out according to existing mechanisms, without the responsible parties following the entire process directly.

According to him, the success of a participant from a People’s School shows that the opportunity to become Paskibraka is open to anyone. A family’s economic background should not be a differentiator as long as the participant has competence and a willingness to work hard.

“Frankly, we are also proud and moved, because it proves that whoever we are, as children of the nation, when given an opportunity, or when there is a chance, an opening, or something that makes it possible to participate, it no longer differentiates whether we come from a well-off family or not,” he said.

Prasetyo assessed that becoming a national-level Paskibraka member is not a light task. The participants must undergo continuous physical training while also preparing mentally because they will appear before the entire Indonesian public.

That pressure requires every member to maintain concentration and avoid mistakes when carrying out their duties. According to Prasetyo, appearing in a state ceremony with the attention of the entire nation is not an easy experience for the participants.

“You will have to perform, you must not make mistakes, there must be no errors, and in your mind, you are being watched by the entire Indonesian nation. That is not something easy,” he said.

Therefore, Prasetyo invited the public to appreciate the struggle of the Paskibraka members and the parties involved in preparing the ceremony. He asked the public not only to see shortcomings or things that are not yet perfect, but also to appreciate the process and hard work that has been done.

“That there are shortcomings, yes. That there may be things that are not yet perfect, yes. But everything, whatever our profession, whatever our field, everything needs to be appreciated and valued,” said Prasetyo.