Indonesia Marks 81st Independence Anniversary with Grand Night Carnival in Jakarta

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka attended a grand night carnival parade at the National Monument (Monas) Square in Jakarta on Monday evening as part of celebrations marking the 81st anniversary of Indonesia’s independence.

President Prabowo arrived at the southern section of the Monas Square at around 7:15 p.m. local time, wearing a brown suit and black kopiah, while Vice President Gibran arrived earlier at approximately 6:45 p.m. wearing a red shirt.

At the viewing platform, the two leaders were joined by State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, Foreign Minister Sugiono and Creative Economy Minister Teuku Riefky Harsya. Indonesian Defence Forces (TNI) Commander General Agus Subiyanto and Indonesian National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo were also present.

The carnival opened with the national anthem, Indonesia Raya, followed by performances of traditional dances, highlighting Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage and national unity.

The Canka Praditya Wiratama music corps from the Indonesian Defense University formally marked the beginning of the parade. The 200-member corps performed patriotic songs as it marched toward the presidential viewing platform, with President Prabowo saluting the contingent as it passed.

The parade featured a series of colourful carnival floats representing various government ministries and agencies and showcasing flagship national programmes. These included the Free Nutritious Food (MBG) programme, People’s School initiative, free health checks, Red-White Cooperatives (KDKMP), and the construction of three million houses for the people.

The first floats represented the Ministry of Home Affairs, highlighting its achievements; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, featuring the theme of Indonesia’s Pancasila diplomacy; and the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), showcasing a Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit.

Participants accompanying the BGN float presented Free Nutritious Food packages to President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran as they passed the viewing platform.

The parade subsequently featured floats from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of National Development Planning, and other government institutions.

Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar and Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia personally appeared alongside their respective ministry floats, while Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya participated in the Cabinet Secretariat float and waved the Indonesian flag as the procession passed the presidential platform.

President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran stood and saluted the participants throughout the procession, underscoring the spirit of patriotism and national unity marking the independence celebrations.

The night carnival continued southward from the National Monument area along M.H. Thamrin Boulevard, passing prominent Jakarta landmarks including Sarinah Department Store before concluding at the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout.

The celebration brought together Indonesia’s cultural traditions, government programmes and patriotic performances in a major public event commemorating the nation’s 81 years of independence.