Fadli Zon Urges Indonesians to Honor the Struggle for Independence

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Culture Minister Fadli Zon has called on Indonesians to honor the struggles of the nation’s forefathers by continuing to uphold the values behind the country’s independence. He made the statement while opening the 2026 Proclamation Month series in Jakarta on Sunday, 16 August 2026.

Fadli said the annual commemoration serves as an opportunity to strengthen the spirit of perseverance, nationalism, and patriotism among the public. He emphasized that remembering the nation’s independence fighters is also important for passing on the spirit of national identity to younger generations.

“We always organize this series of events to once again instill the values of struggle, nationalism, and patriotism in our nation, and to appreciate and honor our predecessors, the fighters, national heroes, the founding fathers, and the pioneers of independence,” Fadli said.

He said Indonesia owes a debt to the figures who fought for and helped establish the country’s independence, including its founding leaders Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta. “We owe Bung Karno and Bung Hatta, as well as our fighters and national heroes, and we must repay that debt by building upon our independence in the best possible way,” he added.

According to Fadli, the responsibility of the current generation is to continue the efforts of the nation’s founders in realizing the ideals for which they fought. “They brought us to the gates of independence, and from those gates toward achieving those ideals, it is our shared responsibility,” he said.

The 2026 Proclamation Month series is being held to commemorate Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day and remember the historic events leading up to the proclamation of independence on 17 August 1945. The program is organized by the Ministry of Culture through the Museum and Cultural Heritage Agency and the Museum of the Formulation of the Proclamation Manuscript.

One of the main activities is the 2026 Proclamation Historical Walk, an annual event held every 16 August since 1983. The activity brings together students, community groups, and members of the public to retrace historical sites and learn about the struggles of figures who played important roles in Indonesia’s journey to independence.

Through the Proclamation Month series, the Ministry of Culture aims to keep Indonesia’s historical memory alive while encouraging younger generations to understand the meaning of independence. Fadli said the values inherited from the country’s founders should serve as a foundation for Indonesians to continue building the nation and pursuing the ideals of independence.