Puan calls for modest Independence Day celebration amid NTT earthquake grief
House of Representatives (DPR RI) Speaker Puan Maharani has called on all Indonesians to celebrate the 81st Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia’s Independence modestly, given that the nation is currently in a state of mourning following the major earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara and surrounding areas.
“At this Independence Day commemoration, the Indonesian nation is in an atmosphere of grief over the earthquake disaster that has just occurred in NTT,” Puan said in Jakarta on Monday.
To that end, Puan urged all Indonesians to pray for the disaster victims and expressed hope that recovery in the affected areas could be carried out as soon as possible.
At the 81st Independence Day ceremony, she wore a modern white kebaya and red batik cloth.
She also paired her kebaya with a black woven shawl typical of NTT as a symbol of mourning over the earthquake disaster.
“Modern kebaya. This (woven shawl) is NTT,” she said.
Puan sat next to People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) Speaker Ahmad Muzani and Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) Speaker Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin. The podium was located to the right of President Prabowo Subianto’s podium.
The Indonesian government has affirmed its commitment to accelerating emergency response and recovery efforts following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that shook the Flores region of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
This affirmation was delivered directly on the sidelines of the 81st Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia’s Independence commemoration held at Motang Rua Field, Ruteng, Manggarai Regency, NTT, on Monday.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno stated that the presence of ministers and institutional leaders in NTT since the first day of the incident reflects the government’s concern and commitment to supporting affected communities.
“Since the first day of the incident, we have been in NTT to inspect the field and discuss accelerating recovery,” he said.