Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka attended a night carnival parade at the National Monument (Monas) square in Jakarta, Monday evening, in commemoration of the 81st anniversary of Indonesia’s independence.
The president, wearing a brown suit and black kopiah, arrived at the southern section of the Monas square at 7:15 p.m. local time. Gibran arrived earlier at 6:45 p.m., donning a red shirt.
At the viewing platform, Prabowo and Gibran were accompanied 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 Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, also appeared on the platform.
The carnival was started by singing the national anthem, Indonesia Raya, followed by traditional dances.
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The Canka Praditya Wiratama music corps from the Indonesian Defense University marked the commencement of the parade, with its 200 personnel playing patriotic songs while advancing towards the president’s platform. The president gave his salute as they passed.
The parade continued with the appearance of carnival floats representing government ministries and agencies, exhibiting flagship programmes, such as the Free Nutritious Food (MBG), the People’s School, free health checks, Red-White Cooperatives (KDKMP), and three million houses for the people.
The first three carnival floats belonged to Home Affairs Ministry showing its achievements, Foreign Affairs Ministry with the theme of Indonesia’s Pancasila diplomacy, National Nutrition Agency (BGN) representing a Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit design.
Participants of the BGN float also handed over MBG packages to Prabowo and Gibran while passing by the president’s platform.
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The carnival parade continued with floats from Religious Affairs Ministry, Hajj and Umrah Ministry, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Finance Ministry, National Development Planning Ministry, and other ministries.
Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar and Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia were among the ministers personally appeared at their ministry’s floats.
Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya also appeared at the Cabinet Secretariat float. He waved the Indonesian flag as the entourage passed the president’s platform. Prabowo and Gibran stood and saluted the participants as they passed by the platform.
From the National Monument area, the night carnival parade continued southward to the M.H. Thamrin Boulevard, passing by the Sarinah Department Store and other landmarks on the road, until the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout.
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Translator: Fathur Rochman, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fransiska Ninditya
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