As Indonesia approaches its 79th independence ceremony, the significance of this event cannot be overstated. Initially, there was a debate about the venue, with some advocating for the new capital, IKN, in Kalimantan. However, the latest update reveals that the ceremony will be a dual celebration, taking place in both IKN and Jakarta.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) expressed his support for holding the 79th Indonesian Independence Day ceremony in Jakarta and the IKN, not only in one place. According to him, this was considered because the capital city is currently in a transitional period of moving.
“No, this is a transition period, a transition period from Jakarta to IKN Nusantara. So that there is a visible journey towards the move. So it is still done here, it is still done there,” Jokowi said, as reported by CNBC Indonesia.
Muhajir Effendy, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, confirmed that President Joko Widodo and President-elect Prabowo Subianto would lead the ceremony at IKN Kalimantan.
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin will lead the independence ceremony in Jakarta, which will be joined by Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka. Both locations, IKN and Jakarta, will follow the same program, including the simultaneous raising of the Indonesian flag.
Previously, both national and foreign media highlighted Bambang Susantono’s resignation from the position of Head of the IKN Authority. Are these two things related?
The Acting Head of the IKN Authority, Basuki Hadimuljono, dismissed this assumption. Basuki ensures that preparations for the ceremony are still going according to plan, with simulations to be carried out in the near future.
There was also an issue of whether former presidents such as Megawati and SBY would be invited to IKN to attend the independence ceremony. It is planned that several national figures will also be invited to participate in the independence ceremony.
However, Muhadjir said that an official list of figures who will be invited to attend the ceremony has yet to be released.
The ceremony at IKN will be directed by Wishnutama, former Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy. Wishnutama is responsible for the design of the stage, tents, and the order of events to ensure the ceremony runs smoothly and according to high standards.
