Jakarta (ANTARA) – Pride and emotion filled the inauguration of 76 of the nation’s best youth as members of the 2026 National Flag Hoisting Troops (Paskibraka) at the State Palace in Jakarta on Saturday (August 15).
Behind the moment lie stories of struggle that brought each Paskibraka member to the point of being selected to raise the Red-and-White flag at Merdeka Palace.
Muhammad Furqoen Hakim, representing Bangka Belitung Islands, said the process leading to his selection as a National Paskibraka member was not easy, requiring a long selection process from the school level up to the central level.
“There were so many steps, starting from school-level selection, then district, then province, and finally central-level verification,” Hakim said, according to a statement received here on Sunday.
The journey to becoming a National Paskibraka member involved not only a long selection and training process, but also the courage to overcome self-doubt.
Angelica Theona Putri, representing East Java, said building self-confidence was one of the challenges she had to face.
“I was not confident myself. I already felt inferior seeing friends who were better than me, thinking I definitely could not do it, but it turned out I managed to overcome that self-doubt,” she said.
Gladys Manuella Aibekob, representing Central Papua, felt similarly. Through discipline, she managed to overcome her doubts and was eventually selected to represent her region as a National Paskibraka member.
“At first I was doubtful, but I kept trying and worked to get rid of that doubt,” she said.
The Paskibraka members’ journey continues even after their inauguration. Having completed the selection and training process, they are now preparing to carry out their duties at the ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of Indonesian independence.
Aibekob said that ahead of carrying out her duties, she has been working to keep her physical condition in top shape.
“I have started watching what I eat, to keep my health in good condition. I am also preparing my equipment so I can look neat and presentable,” she said.
Ismi Ulfaida, representing West Sulawesi and a student at Integrated Sekolah Rakyat 22 Polewali Mandar, said she has also maintained her health and fitness until the day of duty arrives.
“Stay focused on training, maintain health, keep a regular sleep schedule,” she said.
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Translator: Fathur, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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