On August 17, 2025, Indonesia reached a historic milestone, eight decades of independence. Under the national theme “Bersatu Berdaulat, Rakyat Sejahtera, Indonesia Maju” (United and Sovereign, Prosperous People, Advanced Indonesia), the celebrations in Jakarta moved beyond traditional ceremony into a high-tech display of national ambition.
The Symbolic Flag Kiss
The morning ceremony at Merdeka Palace was marked by a powerful moment of symbolism. In his first time leading the event as President, Prabowo Subianto took the Merah Putih (the Red and White flag) and kissed it before handing it to the Paskibraka squad. This gesture, widely analyzed by local media as a “renewal of the social contract,” set a solemn tone for the day. The flag-raising troops further honored the milestone by marching in a “Formation 80” on the palace grounds.
A Convergence of Culture and Power
The traditional Kirab Bendera (Flag Parade) was more elaborate than in previous years. The flag was transported from the National Monument (Monas) to the palace in the Garuda Prabayaksa Chariot, a handcrafted carriage from Yogyakarta. The procession was flanked by 145 cavalry troops and a motorized unit of 45 vehicles from the Presidential Security Guard, specifically chosen to represent the year 1945.
The “People’s Party” Goes Digital
While neighborhoods held traditional Panjat Pinang (pole climbing) and cracker-eating contests, the government-sponsored Pesta Rakyat in Jakarta integrated modern creative industries. Over 1,400 drones took to the sky over Bundaran HI, forming images of bamboo spears—the symbol of the original struggle—which then transitioned into symbols of the nation’s 2026 goals: food self-sufficiency and digital transformation.
Reflection Amidst the Revelry
Despite the fireworks, the 80th anniversary prompted serious national reflection. Public discourse throughout the week centered on the “Golden Indonesia 2045” vision. While leaders celebrated economic growth, advocacy groups like KontraS and academic circles used the milestone to remind the nation of the “unfinished business” regarding human rights and the widening wealth gap between the capital and remote provinces.
As the drone show faded and the last fireworks echoed across the Sudirman-Thamrin thoroughfare, the message was clear: Indonesia at 80 is a nation no longer just celebrating its past, but aggressively engineering its future.