VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Presidential Secretariat has opened public registrations for joining the ceremony marking the 77th anniversary of Indonesian independence at the Presidential Palace in person and online via video conferencing in a bid to unite citizens.

The secretariat has prepared 77 thousand invitations for people wishing to attend the ceremony virtually, head of the Presidential Secretariat, Heru Budi Hartono, informed.

“There will be entertainment (for the participants). In addition, the attendees will be able to interact with each other. We will give them the opportunity to discuss and talk to each other," he added.

He said he expects the virtual commemoration to draw the people of Indonesia together despite the great distance separating them due to the vast expanse of the country.

Furthermore, 2,500 invitations have been prepared for people wishing to attend the morning flag raising ceremony as well as another 2,500 invitations for people wishing to witness the afternoon flag lowering ceremony directly at the palace.

"Come join us in celebrating the 77th commemoration of the Proclamation Moment (by registering) at pandang.istanapresiden.go.id," Hartono urged.

Meanwhile, head of the Protocol Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat, M. Yusuf Permana, said that the increase in the number of virtual invitations from 40 thousand in 2021 to 77 thousand in 2022 is due to the high public interest in participating in the independence anniversary ceremony.

"Not only people in Jakarta, people in various (other) regions -- from Sabang city to Merauke city -- even diaspora people living abroad are also eager to attend the virtual ceremony,” he remarked.

A number of prizes will be given to several participants, such as the first 100 people who register for the virtual flag raising ceremony and another 100 participants who apply for the flag lowering ceremony, he informed.

Meanwhile, deputy for protocol, press, and media at the Presidential Secretariat, Bey Machmudin, said that it will be a challenging task to ensure that the virtual attendees enjoy the same atmosphere as the people attending the ceremony in person.

According to a video showing the launch of the pandang.istanapresiden.go.id website, the registrations for the public officially opened at 10:30 a.m. Western Indonesian Standard Time (WIB, UTC+7), on August 2, 2022.

The ceremony will be held at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on August 17. (Antaranews)