President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran Join Independence Day Night Carnival at National Monument

President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran Join Independence Day Night Carnival at National Monument

President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka attended a night carnival parade at the National Monument square in Jakarta on Monday evening, capping off celebrations of Indonesia's 81st Independence Day. The event marked the president's first Independence Day as the nation's eighth president, having been inaugurated on October 20, 2024.

The president arrived at the southern section of the Monas square at 7:15 p.m. local time, wearing a brown suit and black kopiah. Vice President Gibran, Indonesia's youngest-ever vice president at 37 years old, arrived earlier at 6:45 p.m. in a red shirt.

The 132-meter tall National Monument, crowned with a flame coated with 35 kilograms of gold leaf symbolizing Indonesia's independence, served as the backdrop for the evening's festivities. The monument, originally conceived by President Soekarno shortly after independence in 1945 and inaugurated in 1975, stands as a tribute to the nation's struggle for freedom from Dutch colonial rule.

At the viewing platform, Prabowo and Gibran were joined by State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, Foreign Minister Sugiono, Creative Economy Minister Teuku Riefky Harsya, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, and National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo.

The carnival began with the singing of the national anthem, Indonesia Raya, followed by traditional dances. The Canka Praditya Wiratama music corps from the Indonesian Defense University opened the parade, with 200 personnel playing patriotic songs as they advanced toward the president's platform. Prabowo rendered his salute as they passed.

Government Programs on Display

The parade showcased carnival floats from government ministries and agencies, highlighting flagship programmes under the theme 'A Sovereign, Just and Prosperous Indonesia.' Featured initiatives included the Free Nutritious Meals programme, the People's School, free health checks, Red-White Cooperatives, and a three million houses initiative.

The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, launched in January 2025 and aiming to provide free meals to 83 million children and pregnant women across Indonesia, featured prominently in the parade. The programme was a key campaign promise during the 2024 presidential election and forms a central pillar of the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision to build a healthier, stronger nation. Participants from the National Nutrition Agency float handed MBG packages directly to Prabowo and Gibran as they passed the viewing platform.

The first floats belonged to the Home Affairs Ministry displaying its achievements, the Foreign Affairs Ministry with the theme of Indonesia's Pancasila diplomacy, and the National Nutrition Agency representing a Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit design.

The procession continued with floats from the Religious Affairs Ministry, Hajj and Umrah Ministry, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Finance Ministry, National Development Planning Ministry, and other ministries. Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar and Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia personally appeared on their ministries' floats.

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya appeared on the Cabinet Secretariat float, waving the Indonesian flag as the entourage passed. Prabowo and Gibran stood and saluted the participants as they moved by the platform.

Full Day of Commemoration

The night carnival concluded a full day of Independence Day celebrations commemorating Indonesia's proclamation of independence from the Netherlands on August 17, 1945. Earlier in the day, President Prabowo led the official Independence Day ceremony at Merdeka Palace, where he read the 1945 Proclamation of Independence and led a moment of silence for natural disaster victims.

From the National Monument area, the night carnival parade continued southward along the M.H. Thamrin Boulevard, passing by the Sarinah Department Store and other landmarks, until reaching the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout.