Indonesia commemorated its 80th Independence Day on Sunday with a series of nationwide festivities, highlighted by a solemn flag-raising ceremony at Merdeka Palace led for the first time by President Prabowo Subianto.
President leads the ceremony
On Sunday morning, thousands of people arrived at Jakarta’s Merdeka Palace to witness the Seconds to the Proclamation of Independence celebration for the country’s 80th Independence Day celebration.
The ceremony was attended by an estimated 16,000 invited guests, according to State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, adding that 8,000 invitees attended the morning and afternoon ceremonies.
For the first time, President Prabowo Subianto presided over a ceremony commemorating the Republic of Indonesia’s anniversary or the seconds of independence.
“We, the people of Indonesia, hereby declare the independence of Indonesia. Matters concerning the transfer of power, etc., will be carried out in a conscientious manner and as speedily as possible,” Prabowo recited during the proclamation text reading during the ceremony.
Dressed in traditional Malay attire, Prabowo kissed the national flag during the hoisting procession before giving it to the flag bearer.
As his first celebration of Indonesian Independence Day, the president also threw a people’s party for residents in the Monas region and for those who attended the flag-raising and lowering ceremony at Merdeka Palace.
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Activities during the celebration
The 80th anniversary was celebrated with street competitions, live entertainment, and free food provided by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
The festival also offered a range of visual attractions, such as live music, light installations, and video mapping.
Alongside other local performers, well-known musicians including Cakra Khan, Isyana Sarasvati, Endah Laras, Rossa, Ruth Sahanaya, and rock group Cokelat performed.
Around 1,054 artists from throughout the nation showcased traditional dances and martial arts.
Main streets in Jakarta also had stages that featured Indonesian pop culture figures like Juki, Jumbo, Agni, and Tikam Samurai.
The Indonesian Air Force added to the spectacle with fighter jets soaring in formation to create the number “80” in the sky above the city.
In the evening, fireworks lit up the Jakarta skyline alongside the United Independence Carnival, a parade of decorated floats from ministries and agencies showcasing achievements during Prabowo’s first 300 days in office.
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Adam Peaker 
Hyacinth Estrada 
Ian Trinidad