Jakarta/Balikpapan. Thousands of Jakarta residents gathered eagerly to witness the historic journey of the replica of Indonesia’s national flag, which began its journey from the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta to Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta. The flag was then flown to the nation’s new capital, Nusantara in East Kalimantan, where it will be unfurled during the 79th Independence Day ceremony on August 17.

This marks the first time that Indonesia will hold its Independence Day ceremony in Nusantara, symbolizing the country’s commitment to the new capital. The procession of the flag and the Proclamation Manuscript was accompanied by a marching band performance from military and police academy cadets.

The flag and the Proclamation Manuscript were carried by two Paskibraka (flag-hoisting troop) members—Kachina Ozora from Central Kalimantan and Keyla Azzahra Purnama from South Sumatra—in a Maung II tactical vehicle en route to Halim Perdanakusuma Airport.

Many residents, excited by the event, arrived early in the morning to secure a good spot to view the procession. “It was thrilling and gave me goosebumps. It’s such a great event for the people of Jakarta. I hope we can have this every year,” said a Jakarta resident who witnessed the procession on Saturday.

Another resident, Solihah, mentioned that she and her group had arrived at the Patung Kuda area as early as 7:00 a.m. to catch a glimpse of the procession. “This is a precious moment. We can witness the journey of the Sang Merah Putih from Jakarta to Halim,” she told Beritasatu.com.

The convoy carrying the flag and the Proclamation Manuscript arrived at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport around 9:30 a.m. Jakarta time. As the flag's arrival approached, security at the VVIP building of Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, was tightened. The flag will be escorted by a convoy of 20 vehicles from Balikpapan to Nusantara.

Upon arrival at Sepinggan Airport in Balikpapan, the flag and Proclamation Manuscript will be transported to the Presidential Palace in Nusantara. There, they will be handed over to President Joko Widodo and raised during the Independence Day ceremony.

On Saturday morning, the VVIP building at the airport was bustling with military and police personnel preparing and securing the area before the arrival of the flag replica.

The flag is expected to land in Balikpapan around 1:00 p.m. Central Indonesia Time, where it will be received by regional leaders, including the Acting Governor of East Kalimantan, the Commander of the VI Mulawarman Military Region, and the Chief of the East Kalimantan Police.

Colonel Kav Kristiyanto, Commander of the VI Mulawarman Military Region, confirmed that at least 20 vehicles would escort the flag replica to Nusantara. The convoy will travel along Marsma Iswayudi Road, then proceed to the Manggar toll gate. From there, the procession will exit at the 13-kilometer toll gate and head directly to the Nusantara toll road.

The flag procession will also pass over the Pulau Balang Bridge, which was recently inaugurated by President Joko Widodo, symbolizing the nation’s progress toward its new capital.

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