KBRN, Jakarta: A crowd of more than 300,000 people gathered at Sarinah Plaza on Sunday, August 17, to celebrate Indonesia’s 80th anniversary at the “People’s Party,” a large-scale public event organized by state-owned enterprise InJourney Holding and its subsidiaries: PT Sarinah, InJourney Aviation Services (IAS), and InJourney Airports.

PT Aviasi Pariwisata Indonesia (Persero) CEO Maya Watono emphasized that the People’s Party was more than a festive occasion, it aimed to foster patriotism and deliver tangible benefits to the community.

“As a state-owned enterprise in the aviation and tourism sector, we are committed to preserving Indonesian culture, engaging with the public, and serving as a development agent that safeguards our national heritage while contributing to community welfare,” Maya said in a statement on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, as reported by antaranews.com.

The event formed part of the broader People's Party & Independence Carnival, initiated by Danantara in collaboration with five major state-owned enterprises (SOEs): Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), InJourney, Bank Mandiri, Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI), and Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI).

Festivities spanned five main stages across key Jakarta landmarks: Monas, Sarinah, Hotel Indonesia Roundabout, Dukuh Atas, and Sampoerna Strategic, highlighting the archipelago’s rich cultural diversity.

Beyond cultural performances, visitors enjoyed the Nusantara Mixed Rice Festival, which served 20,000 portions of traditional Indonesian dishes prepared by 47 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) under the InJourney Group.

These MSMEs were among more than 300 participating along the carnival route, including those featured in the Culinary Festival 80, where menus were priced at IDR 80 (approximately USD 5) to support the grassroots economy.

PT Sarinah President Director Raisha Syarfuan described the celebration as a platform to showcase MSME products, stimulate local economic growth, and reinforce national pride.

“We believe Sarinah can serve as a space where culture and commerce converge, fostering an ecosystem that uplifts local products while offering a memorable experience to the public,” Raisha said.

Through the InJourney People’s Party at Sarinah, culinary and craft MSMEs gained broader market access, reflecting the spirit of grassroots empowerment.

The event also underscored the collaborative efforts of SOEs in promoting cultural heritage, advancing the creative sector, and strengthening community solidarity in pursuit of an “Advanced Indonesia.” ***