Indonesia holds Independence Day events in Jakarta and the new capital for the first time
2024-08-18
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China News Service, Jakarta, August 17 (Reporter Li Zhiquan) August 17 is Indonesia's Independence Day. For the first time, this "country of a thousand islands" held simultaneous ceremonies in Jakarta and the new capital Nusantara to celebrate the 79th anniversary of Indonesia's independence.
Indonesian President Joko and his wife Iriana attended the celebration in Nusantara, East Kalimantan Province, wearing traditional local costumes. Official sources said Joko presided over the ceremony to commemorate the 79th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Indonesia in 2024. President-elect Prabowo accompanied them.
Meanwhile, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin presided over the celebration ceremony in Jakarta, accompanied by Vice President-elect Gibran.
The ceremony began with 17 cannon shots, followed by a one-minute whistle. This day has a special meaning for Indonesians. On August 17, 1945, Sukarno, the "Father of Independence" of Indonesia, issued the Declaration of Independence, announcing the establishment of the Republic of Indonesia. At the ceremony that day, this declaration 79 years ago was read out again.
Nusantara is about 1,200 kilometers from Jakarta and is located on different islands. This is the first time that Indonesia's Independence Day activities are held in both places at the same time.
Compared with previous years, the festive atmosphere in Jakarta has not diminished at all. The Indonesian national flag and various colored flags can be seen everywhere on the streets. The walls of institutions and businesses along the street are decorated with red and white curtains in the colors of the national flag. Early in the morning, people gathered in the Independence Square in the city center to watch the pictures played on the big screen and celebrate Independence Day in various ways.
From a legal perspective, Indonesia passed the new capital law as early as 2022. However, Nusantara is still under large-scale construction, and the Indonesian government has not yet announced the decree to move the capital, also known as the "transition period."
During his tenure, Jokowi pushed for the relocation of the capital to Nusantara. At the end of July this year, he went to the new capital to work. On August 12, he presided over the first plenary meeting of the cabinet in the new capital.
Prabowo, who will be sworn in on October 20 this year, recently said the new government will continue to develop the new capital until all stages are completed.
