VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Minister of State Secretry Pratikno.

The Indonesian government has made an earnest appeal to Indonesians to stop their activities for three minutes on August 17, 2020, at 10:17 a.m. Western Indonesian Standard Time (WIB) in observance of the country's Independence Day.

The entire community is expected to respect and observe the Proclamation by momentarily halting all activities and standing up straight and solemnly on August 17, 2020, at 10:17 a.m. local time, Minister of State Secretary, Pratikno, as chair of the Committee for the National Independence Day Celebrations and Reception for Heads of State, foreign countries' representatives, stated in Jakarta on Wednesday.

"Take a perfect stance and stand tall to honor the commemoration of the anniversary of Indonesia’s Proclamation of Independence," he emphasized.

The anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia's Proclamation of Independence on August 17, 2020, will be commemorated virtually through the application of stringent health protocols and the active involvement of the entire community.

"Stop all your activities for just three minutes on August 17, 2020, at 17 minutes past 10 Western Indonesia Standard Time," Pratikno stated.

This year's ceremony to commemorate the Proclamation of Indonesia's Independence will only be attended by limited number of invitees involved in the series of memorial services.

The public, at large, will be able to follow the virtual memorial ceremony on television or the Internet.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, large gatherings of the public and other invited guests is out of the question since the government will be prioritizing public health and safety.

Indonesia had proclaimed its independence on August 17, 1945, after being colonized by the Dutch forces for 350 years and later by Japan for three and a half years. (ANTARA)