Prabowo visibly moved during rendition of 'Bagimu Negeri'
President Prabowo Subianto appeared tearful as he stood listening to the song ‘Bagimu Negeri’ during the flag-lowering ceremony for the 81st Anniversary of Indonesian Independence in the grounds of Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday afternoon.
The President had already begun to look emotional during the opening and also joined in singing the lyrics from the first verse, performed by Vina Panduwinata, and continued to sing along to ‘Bagimu Negeri’ until the song ended, together with Rizky Febian and Niki Becker.
The President’s tearful eyes were accompanied by more frequent blinking throughout the song.
As soon as the song ended, Prabowo applauded and wiped his face, his eyes still appearing moist.
The President acted as inspector of the ceremony for the lowering of the national flag, the Red and White.
The Heritage Flag Hoisting Troop (Paskibraka) formed the number 81 during the lowering of the Red and White flag, marking the 81st year of Indonesia’s independence.
The Red and White flag, once lowered, was then carried by the tray bearer and handed back to President Prabowo, marking the end of the core sequence of the flag-lowering ceremony.
The President then sat on the reviewing stand to listen to the performance of ‘Bagimu Negeri’ by Vina Panduwinata, Rizky Febian, and Niki Becker.
After the song, the flag-lowering ceremony was declared complete and Prabowo left the reviewing stand.
The flag-lowering ceremony was led by the commander of group 17, Baruno Wicaksono, a student from Taruna Nusantara Senior High School, Cimahi Campus, West Java, son of Setiari Marwanto and Sumartini.
The Red and White flag was lowered by tray bearer Neeltje Deliana Insjowi Werimon, a student at SMA Negeri 8 Jayapura from Papua, daughter of Aiwoisendin Hendrik Werimon and Steffi Edithya Florence Awom.
The reserve tray bearer position was filled by Ismi Ulfaidah, a student at Sekolah Rakyat Terintegrasi 22 Polewali Mandar from West Sulawesi, daughter of Rahman and Suburia.