Jakarta, ThedailyID — President Prabowo Subianto asked participants at Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day ceremony to pray for people affected by natural disasters across the country.
Prabowo made the appeal before the moment of silence at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday, Aug. 17. He also invited participants to remember the heroes who fought for Indonesia’s independence.
“Let us observe a moment of silence to remember the souls and sacrifices of the heroes of our nation, who gave their lives and strength for Indonesia’s independence and dignity. We also pray for our brothers and sisters affected by natural disasters in Sumatra, NTT and other parts of Indonesia,” Prabowo said.
During the moment of silence, participants bowed their heads to honor the fallen heroes and pray for communities facing difficult conditions after recent disasters.
Prabowo emphasized that Independence Day should not only be a time for celebration. It should also serve as a reminder of Indonesians who are currently facing hardship.
Ministers Head to Disaster-Affected Areas
The government’s response was also reflected in the decision of several ministers and officials to spend Independence Day in areas affected by the recent earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
Instead of attending the ceremony at Merdeka Palace, several officials traveled to disaster-hit regions to oversee the government’s response.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Pratikno said the government would divide responsibilities among officials to ensure affected communities receive assistance.
“We will divide our tasks in the field. Tomorrow, we will hold Independence Day ceremonies not in Jakarta, but in various regions,” Pratikno said.
For communities dealing with disasters, Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day came with a different atmosphere. Alongside the celebrations, the government highlighted solidarity and the importance of remaining present for people facing difficult circumstances.
