President Jokowi Leads Indenpendence Day Ceremony At Merdeka Palace

Jakarta (Antara Babel) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) led an Independence Day ceremony highlighted by the hoisting of Indonesia's Red and White flag at the Merdeka Palace, here, Wednesday.

The ceremony commemorating the 71st anniversary of the country's independence began at 9:45 a.m. local time.

First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, Vice President M Jusuf Kalla and spouse Mufidah Kalla, and several cabinet ministers also attended the ceremony.

Among the VIPs also present at the event were former president Megawati Soekarnoputri and former vice presidents Boediono and Try Sutrisno.

Several veterans and local community members were also invited to the ceremony.

The celebration was also enlivened by a parade featuring traditional dresses from across Indonesia and a marching band.

Earlier, Jokowi had led a midnight observance of honor and sacred reflection at the Kalibata Heroes' Cemetery, here, in the wee hour of Wednesday, to pay tribute to the fallen heroes.

The ceremony was part of the commemoration of Indonesia's Independence Day that falls on August 17.

The president, as the inspector of ceremony, paid his tributes to the 9,768 fallen heroes, who had fought for the country's freedom.

Accompanied by First Lady Iriana, Jokowi also honored the unknown fallen heroes across the country.

The president prayed that the heroes rested in the best place beside Almighty God.  

   

"We pledge and promise that the struggle of those heroes is also our struggle," he affirmed.

Among those present at the ceremony were Vice President Kalla and spouse, and several cabinet ministers.

Indonesia, represented by Sukarno and M Hatta, proclaimed its independence in Jakarta, on August 17, 1945.

The country had been colonized by the Dutch for some 350 years and later by Japan for some three and half years.