Prabowo and Gibran Side by Side Watch Independence Carnival at Monas
President Prabowo Subianto, accompanied by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, watched the ‘Bersatu Harmoni Nusantara Carnival’ parade as part of the 81st Indonesian Independence Day celebrations at the National Monument (Monas) area in Jakarta on Monday evening (17/8/2026).
The President arrived at the south side of Monas in a Maung tactical vehicle at around 7.15 p.m. Western Indonesia Time. Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka had arrived earlier at the location at around 6.45 p.m. Prabowo, wearing a brown beskap and black kopiah, then proceeded to the VIP stage together with Gibran.
Also accompanying the President at the event were Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya, Indonesian Military Commander General Agus Subiyanto, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
The event began with the singing of the national anthem Indonesia Raya, followed by the performance ‘Sabang-Merauke Only Indonesia Has It’. This show featured Nusantara dances and musical performances by dozens of young people wearing traditional attire from various regions of Indonesia.
The carnival parade was officially opened with a performance by the Canka Praditya Wiratama Drum and Flute Corps from the Defence University. A total of 200 personnel performed the song ‘Maju Tak Gentar’ as they passed in front of the stage. President Prabowo appeared to stand and pay his respects as the group passed by.
The carnival continued with a parade of decorated vehicles from various ministries and institutions. Uniquely, these vehicles showcased various government priority programmes, such as food and energy self-sufficiency, Free Nutritious Meals, People’s Schools, Free Health Checks, Red and White Cooperatives, and the Three Million Houses Programme.
The Ministry of Home Affairs’ decorated vehicle was among the first groups, followed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which carried the theme of Pancasila and the pinisi ship. The National Nutrition Agency also participated with the theme of Nutrition Service Fulfilment Units, where its representatives handed food from the Free Nutritious Meals Programme directly to Prabowo and Gibran.
A number of ministers also appeared to take part on their respective institutions’ decorated vehicles, including Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia. In addition, the Cabinet Secretariat displayed a vehicle themed ‘Pandu Nawasena Garuda the Guide to the Future’ carrying messages about government achievements, with Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya standing while waving the Red and White Flag.
Throughout the event, Prabowo and Gibran stood several times to pay their respects and greet carnival participants. The carnival route started from the Monas area towards the Horse Statue, passing through Sarinah, and ending at the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout.
In addition to the decorated vehicle parade, the Independence Night series in Jakarta was also enlivened by musical performances, an MSME culinary area, drone attractions, and a fireworks display that amazed the attending public.