KBRN, Jakarta: The Commemoration Ceremony of Indonesia's Independence Proclamation was held today at the Merdeka Palace, North Jakarta, Jakarta Province on Sunday, August 17, 2025. This ceremony was conducted to commemorate Independence Day on August 17.

The 80th anniversary carries the theme of Unity, Sovereignty, Prosperous People, Advanced Indonesia.

The commemoration began with a Red and White Flag Procession. It is a procession that parades the sacred Red and White flag and the text of the Indonesian proclamation from the National Monument (Monas) to the ceremony location, the Merdeka Palace.

The flag arrived at the Merdeka Palace at 08:30 Jakarta time, carried by the Retired National Flag Raising Troop Procession. The flag was carried on the Garuda Praba Yaksa Chariot, specially designed in Sleman, Yogyakarta.

The Presidential Security Force (Paspampres) accompanied the procession wearing traditional costumes from 38 provinces. All wore complete traditional dress with attached accessories.

President Prabowo Subianto wore ivory-colored Nusantara traditional attire. The President acted as the Ceremony Inspector at the 80th Commemoration Ceremony of the Indonesian Independence Proclamation.

The President’s Nusantara attire was complemented by a black peci hat, songket sarong cloth, and a string of white jasmine flowers draped around the president’s neck.

The seventh President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, and the sixth President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, were also present. Both sat side by side on the terrace of the Merdeka Palace.

President Prabowo Subianto kissed the Red and White flag before it was raised during the Commemoration Ceremony of the Proclamation moment. This was the first time a President kissed the Red and White flag before it was raised. Previously, no president had performed such an act.

After being received by the Paskibraka, the flag was then raised by Farrel Argantha Irawan, a representative from Jakarta Province. Following that, the release of doves was carried out at the time of the raising of the Red and White flag.

Then, a flypast by F16 fighter jets was performed.

The Jupiter Aerobatic Team aircraft performs during a fly-past to enliven the Independence Proclamation Ceremony at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta on Sunday, August 17, 2025. (Photo: RRI/Tegar Habib)

The Commemoration Ceremony of Indonesia’s Independence Proclamation was also enlivened by performances from several Indonesian singers, namely Rossa, keroncong singer Endah Laras, Cakra Khan, and Isyana Sarasvati.

Cakra Khan and Isyana Sarasvati performed the song "Rumah Kita" (Our House) by the band Godbless, followed by the song "Negeriku" (My Country) by Chrisye. Several other performances such as Pacu Jalur (boat racing), pencak silat (martial arts), and Barong dance enlivened the entertainment after the ceremony.