Southwest Papua targets representative to qualify for 2026 National Paskibraka

The Provincial Government of Southwest Papua (PBD) is targeting a regional representative to qualify as a member of the National Heritage Flag Hoisting Squad (Paskibraka) in 2026, after sending three pairs of top candidates to undergo selection at the central level. Acting Head of the National Unity and Political Affairs Agency (Kesbangpol) of Southwest Papua, George Japsenang, in Sorong on Monday, stated that his office had received a letter from the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP) regarding the implementation of the national Paskibraka candidate selection. “We will dispatch three pairs of candidates who have passed the provincial-level selection to participate in the selection stages at the central level,” he said. According to George, the three candidate pairs are the best participants from the provincial selection results who will compete with representatives from all provinces in Indonesia. Of the six participants sent, only one pair will later be chosen to represent Southwest Papua as members of the national-level Paskibraka. “The one accepted pair will serve at the national level, while the other two pairs will return and become members of the Southwest Papua Provincial Paskibraka,” he explained. He detailed that the provincial-level Paskibraka candidate selection process was previously attended by dozens of participants selected from districts and cities across Southwest Papua. From that stage, a total of 47 Paskibraka candidate pairs were declared successful and will subsequently undergo a training process in preparation for duty at the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia ceremony. George said the provincial-level Paskibraka candidate members are scheduled to undergo a quarantine period and intensive training for two weeks before carrying out their duties. “We are planning that in early July the participants will begin quarantine to receive physical, mental, disciplinary, and national insight training,” he stated. He expressed hope that all participants can follow each stage well so they are able to perform the flag-raising and lowering duties optimally at the 2026 Indonesian Independence Day commemoration. According to him, the success of a Southwest Papua representative breaking into the national Paskibraka will be a source of pride for the region while motivating other young generations to continue achieving. George affirmed that the Southwest Papua Provincial Government is committed to supporting youth development through the Paskibraka programme as part of efforts to instil national values, leadership, and a spirit of nationalism among students. Previously, Southwest Papua had already qualified one pair of central-level Paskibraka members in 2025, namely Frans Jemput and Esterline Putri Wulandari.