Jakarta. The morning sun filtered over the high walls of Cipinang Prison in East Jakarta, casting long shadows across the courtyard. A hush fell as the red-and-white flag began its solemn ascent. Inmates stood in neat rows, their eyes fixed on the fluttering symbol of freedom. 

Among the flag raisers were men once branded enemies of the state -- terror convicts who had spent years behind bars for their role in extremism. On this Independence Day, however, they were no longer defined by their past. Instead, they stood shoulder to shoulder with fellow Indonesians, saluting the Republic they had once rejected.

The red-and-white flag rose steadily against the morning sky on Sunday, marking Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day. Among those raising the flag were not ordinary inmates, but men once convicted of terrorism -- a striking image of reconciliation, change, and the nation’s ongoing fight against radicalism.

The participation of terror convicts in the sacred flag-hoisting ceremony was part of the government’s deradicalization program. For prison officials, the symbolism was profound: individuals who once rejected the state now stood at attention, saluting the very emblem of the Republic they had once opposed.

“Raising the national flag is a representation of our love for the Motherland,” said Yulius Jum Hertantono, head of the prison’s administrative and social order division, who led the ceremony. “When inmates -- especially those convicted of terrorism -- take part in this ritual, it signals a shift in their perspective. It aligns with the mission of our correctional system: to foster nationalism and unity.”

One inmate, identified only as BS, described the moment as transformative.

“I used to have a different understanding of statehood and nationalism,” he admitted. “But today, standing under the Red and White flag, I felt something entirely different. I realized that loving my nation is part of my faith. I have changed, and I want to contribute to my country.”

The scene was not confined to Jakarta. In Ngawi, East Java, two former terror convicts voluntarily joined the local flag-raising ceremony. Their participation was warmly welcomed by Regent Ony Anwar Harsono, who saw it as a powerful act of reconciliation.

“This Republic opens its doors to anyone willing to reconcile and return to their Motherland,” Ony said.

The two men, both graduates of the government’s deradicalization program, spoke of the opportunity as an honor.

“To be allowed to stand with the people of Ngawi during this sacred moment means everything,” one of them said. “I know I once walked the wrong path, but today I belong to this Republic. I am ready to prove that people can change.”

Across the country, Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day celebrations were filled with the usual symbols of pride and unity. But for the inmates and ex-convicts who once strayed into extremism, raising the flag was not just tradition -- it was redemption.

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