JAKARTA: Tens of thousands of people coming from diverse backgrounds joined the “Kirab Merah Putih” or Red and White Parade in Central Jakarta on Sunday morning.
The parade, joined by members of interfaith communities and civil society organisations, students, soldiers, police officers, and government officials, got started from the National Monument (Monas) area.
They then marched to the Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout, which is about 1,700 metres away from the Monas square. During the event, enthusiasts were entertained by a marching band and a cultural parade.
The parade, organised as part of the commemorative events of this year’s Indonesian Independence Day, was flagged off by President Jokowi Widodo at around 7am, and ended at around 9am local time.
When the parade participants arrived at the HI Roundabout at around 8.15am, they sang Indonesia’s national anthem. Crowds of Jakarta’s Car Free Day also gathered with the parade participants.
At the event, Habib Luthfi bin Yahya, a member of the Presidential Advisory Board, and National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo delivered speeches.
According to Habib Luthfi, the Red and White Parade was performed to thank the almighty God for bestowing a country with the wealth of fertile land on Indonesians.
“We had passed through 350 years with fights that had finally enabled us to hoist our national flag. This is not a gift. Instead, the Red and White can be hoisted thanks to the founders of our nation’s services,” he said.
Therefore, to thank their services, Habib Luthfi called for members of young generation’s active contribution to the nation’s development.
“Through the parade this morning, we show our readiness for using the Red and White in our lifetime. We are always committed to protecting the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI),” he said.
A collective commitment to serving and protecting the NKRI was the main objective of this Red and White Parade in an endeavour to restore a sense of ownership for the Motherland, Habib Luthfi added.
On August 17 this year, Indonesia celebrated the 77th anniversary of its independence.
