JAKARTA, THENUSANTARAPOST.COM – With Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day celebration just around the corner, the final rehearsal for the grand ceremony took place on Thursday, August 14, 2025. Following the run-through, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, widely known as Minister Pras, confirmed that preparations are nearly complete, with only minor adjustments left.
“In general, almost everything is ready. Any evaluation now is just about fine-tuning. From the ceremonial parade to the Proclamation moment, as well as performances at the Merdeka Palace and the Indonesian Air Force’s aerial displays — everything has gone according to plan,” he stated.
Minister Pras expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in making the celebration possible — from the ceremonial guards to the performers and the behind-the-scenes crews.
“First, I want to thank all parties involved — the ceremonial troops, the young performers, and everyone working tirelessly to prepare every detail. I can’t name them one by one, but each is an inseparable part of this event. This is the result of our collective hard work, built on understanding, coordination, and our spirit of gotong royong,” he said.
This year, the flag-raising team (Paskibraka) will debut a fresh formation, specially designed to mark the 80th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence. Cultural performances and surprise guest stars will also be featured, adding an extra layer of excitement for the public.
“Our hope is that this celebration reflects the spirit of our nation’s next generation. It’s our way of loving our country, honoring our predecessors with all our heart and soul, and coming together to celebrate our 80th Independence Day. Whoever performs, in essence, we are all artists and heroes for our nation,” Minister Pras remarked.
Beyond the Palace ceremonies, Minister Pras also invited Jakarta residents and visitors to join a special evening carnival on August 17. The parade will begin around 7:30 p.m. at the National Monument (Monas) and proceed through the Sudirman-Thamrin area.
“If you have the time, come and see it. Perhaps for the first time ever, we’re holding a nighttime carnival that will depart from the Monas area,” he added (Wan)