Proud Parent Watches Sekolah Rakyat Student Perform at the Palace

Suburia could not hide her emotion when she saw her daughter, Ismi Ulfaida, in the Paskibraka ranks tasked with lowering the flag during the 81st Independence Day celebrations at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday (17/8).

Ismi is the only Sekolah Rakyat student from Polewali Mandar, West Sulawesi, who succeeded in becoming part of the 2026 National Paskibraka. She was even entrusted with the role of reserve tray bearer.

Met after the event, Suburia admitted she had not expected to travel to Jakarta to see her daughter perform before President Prabowo Subianto.

“I was immediately moved, sir, I cried when I heard my child had passed the Paskibraka selection,” said Suburia in her statement on Tuesday (18/8/2026).

Ismi is the daughter of Rahman and Suburia. To meet their daily needs, the family relies on Rahman’s income as a farm labourer.

Despite the uncertain income and all the limitations, Ismi has remained a patient child with a strong determination to achieve her dreams, including becoming a Paskibraka member.

“Besides Ismi being patient and obedient, she also helps me at home with the housework,” she said.

Suburia has also noticed a significant change in her daughter. According to her, Ismi has become more diligent in her worship after undergoing one year of education at Sekolah Rakyat.

At the same occasion, Ismi explained that she went through a long process to reach that stage. She had to pass selection at the district level, then advance to the provincial level, and finally to the national level. Overall, Ismi competed with 119,441 applicants and succeeded in becoming one of 76 selected young people from 38 provinces.

“Of course, it also required a long process, starting from the district selection level, then provincial, and finally reaching the central level,” said Ismi.

Ismi admitted she felt nervous when she had to perform before President Prabowo Subianto. However, she now feels relieved because she has gone through the entire process well and performed successfully.

“Of course, I am moved because I have finished carrying out the state’s duty,” she said.

Ismi’s achievement can serve as motivation for other students to continue achieving. She has proven that Sekolah Rakyat students are able to compete at the national level.

“Of course, my friends at Sekolah Rakyat should never give up, never surrender easily, because there is always a way for everything,” she concluded.