President Prabowo Reads the Proclamation of Independence Text

President Prabowo Subianto led the Commemoration Ceremony of the Seconds of the Proclamation in the framework of the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday (17/8). In this sacred procession, the Head of State personally read the text of the Proclamation of Independence.

“We the Indonesian people hereby declare the independence of Indonesia. Matters concerning the transfer of power and other matters shall be carried out in a careful manner and in the shortest possible time,” read an excerpt from the text of the Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia as read by President Prabowo, as observed from Jakarta on Monday (17/8).

The solemn atmosphere continued as the session entered a moment of silence. Amid the independence celebrations, President Prabowo invited all ceremony participants to offer prayers for the victims of natural disasters across the country, including communities affected by earthquakes in Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), and other regions. The official prayer procession was then led by Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar.

The 81st Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, which carried the theme “A Sovereign, Just, and Prosperous Indonesia,” was also marked by the diversity of Nusantara attire. President Prabowo appeared elegant wearing a blue beskap with songket fabric wrapped around his waist. Meanwhile, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka attended wearing traditional attire typical of the NTT community.

The task of raising the Red and White flag was entrusted to the “Sovereign Indonesia” Heritage Flag Raising Team (Paskibraka). A student from SMK Negeri 5 Pontianak representing West Kalimantan, Celina Olivia Apriani Theo, successfully carried out the mandate as the main bearer of the Red and White flag tray.

The ceremony at Merdeka Palace was also attended by state institution leaders, former presidents and vice presidents, as well as ambassadors of friendly nations.