Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian ministers and deputy ministers will lead flag-raising ceremonies in earthquake-hit East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province on Monday, marking the country’s 81st Independence Day, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said.
Speaking before the national ceremony at Merdeka Palace, Hadi said several senior officials had traveled to NTT to oversee Independence Day events and disaster response.
They include Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo, Social Affairs Deputy Minister Agus Jabo Priyono and a deputy health minister.
Hadi said their presence reflected the government’s commitment to ensuring effective emergency and relief efforts after Saturday’s magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck parts of Flores Island.
“As we celebrate independence, it remains crucial to ensure our brothers and sisters affected by the disaster receive the best possible care,” Hadi said.
Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono will lead a separate Independence Day ceremony in Southeast Sulawesi, Hadi added.
President Prabowo Subianto will lead the national ceremony at Merdeka Palace, where the government initially prepared 8,100 seats for public attendees and state officials.
To accommodate more people, the palace added 1,700 seats for the morning ceremony and another 1,700 for the afternoon flag-lowering ceremony.
Tents and large screens have been installed along Medan Merdeka Utara Street for residents without guest registration to watch the ceremonies outside the palace.
“Let us all work hard and devote our best efforts to making Indonesia sovereign, just and prosperous for all,” Hadi said.
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Translator: Maria Cicilia, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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