State Palace Opens Its Doors to All for Independence Day Ceremony
Main Takeaways
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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — On Sunday, Aug 17, 2025, the Jakarta State Palace opens its gates to citizens to mark the 80th Proclamation of Indonesia’s Independence, with President Prabowo Subianto inviting people from across the social spectrum to take part in the national ceremony.
The State Palace hosts the ceremony marking the exact moment of the 1945 Proclamation of Independence, as a symbol of shared nationhood and equal dignity. The decision to welcome everyday Indonesians underscored the administration’s message that independence is celebrated as a common right, not a privilege.
Among the invitees was Solo-born Edi Sutrisno, who drives bajaj —an auto-rickshaw widely used for short trips on narrow urban streets—daily on Jakarta’s streets. He said he felt grateful when he received an invitation to attend the State Palace.
“Alhamdulillah, I received a direct invitation from the President. I usually only see the Palace from behind my bajaj; this time I can enter to pay respects to our heroes,” he said.
A similar sentiment came from Achmad Baicquni, a Transjakarta driver who had been on duty for just six months. He said he did not expect to be allowed to attend at the Palace. “I was very surprised when I received this invitation. It felt unreal to be able to be there in person. Thank you, Mr. Prabowo, for the opportunity,” he said.
Siti Kholiso, a public facilities maintenance worker (PPSU) who swept the streets around the Palace, also expressed her pride. She said she was usually outside the gates to perform her duties, and that the formal invitation affirmed her place as an honored guest. “Usually, I only work outside the fence. This time, I am officially invited as a guest. Thank you very much, Mr. President,” she said.
With the presence of diverse invitees, the ceremony at the Jakarta State Palace was positioned as a living expression of unity and equality—an Independence Day that belonged to everyone, witnessed together in the nation’s most symbolic venue.