August 17, 2025 | 09:31 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto kissed the Red and White flag during the 80th Anniversary celebration of the Republic of Indonesia at Merdeka Palace, Central Jakarta, on Sunday, August 17, 2025.
The moment occurred just before the seventy-six members of the National Youth Flag-Raising Team (Paskibraka) 2025 raised the Red and White flag.
Tempo observed that the ceremony began when Prabowo entered the ceremonial field at 10:00 AM local time. The Head of State led the 80th Anniversary celebration, while the Ceremony Commander was Colonel Inf Amril Hairuman Tehupelasury.
Meanwhile, the seventy-six members of the National Paskibraka 2025 had been prepared since 9:45 AM on the left side of the Merdeka Palace courtyard. Bianca Alessia Christabella Lantang, representing North Sulawesi Province and chosen to carry the Red and White flag, was positioned in the middle of the troop.
At approximately 10:15 AM, the flag-raising ceremony began. The seventy-six members marched onto the ceremonial field wearing white uniforms and black peci hats with the Garuda badge on the left side. In the middle of the field, they divided into three troops.
Bianca, flanked by flag raiser Farrel Argantha Irawan and flag stretcher El Rayyi Mujahid Faqih, was in the central troop.
Carrying the tray, Bianca moved toward the main stage to take the Red and White flag near Prabowo. Upon her arrival, Prabowo handed over the flag. After placing the flag in the tray held by Bianca, he bowed his head and kissed the Red and White flag. Bianca then received the flag and descended the stage.
Following this, her troop formed a lineup and advanced toward the flagpole. From above, as seen on the large monitor on the green field, the troop shaped the number 80 to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia.
The three members designated to raise and stretch the flag then moved to the flagpole. Bianca stepped forward to hand the flag to the flag stretcher. The Red and White flag was successfully hoisted, earning applause from the audience.
The Ceremony Commander gave the order to salute, and the Indonesian national anthem, Indonesia Raya, was played. The flag reached the top of the pole, after which the Commander instructed the participants to end the salute. The Paskibraka members returned to their original positions.
President Prabowo Subianto led this ceremony for the first time as president. State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi confirmed that 16,000 guests attended, with 8,000 invited to both the morning and evening sessions.
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