VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Eight members of national flag bearers, Paskibraka, on duty for flag-hoisting ceremony during the 75th commemoration of Indonesia's Independence Day conducted amid pandemic situation at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Monday, Aug 17, 2020. ANTARA/Biro Pers Sekretariat Presiden/Muchlis Jr/sw)

An official ceremony to commemorate Indonesia's 75th Independence Day at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday was scaled back over COVID-19 concerns and held in a solemn manner.

"Health protocols are applied to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, we believe that the event would be held in a solemn and prudent manner," Deputy of Protocol, Press, and Media at the Presidential Secretary Bey Machmudin noted.

"This was also held quite modestly and as usual at 9 a.m. local time, we have such festive art and cultural events at the Palace yard, though now, we are moving it entirely to virtual rooms," he pointed out.

National celebrations at the Merdeka Palace would usually see a congregation of hundreds of ceremony participants as well as honorary guests dressed in traditional costumes, while now, it was limited to only 20 ceremony participants and 14 guests.

"We invited people to attend the commemoration virtually, with as many as 17,845 seats available, and also special seats were assigned for foreign ambassadors from across the world," Machmudin stated.

As it turned into a virtual event, the government had urged Indonesians worldwide to pay their respects to the proclamation and flag-raising event by standing in attention at precisely 10:17 a.m. local time.

The flag-hoisting ceremony at the palace was conducted by only eight select students in the flag bearers’ team, the Paskibraka, while regularly it comprised 68 members from each of the 34 provinces.

All of them as well as participants and honorary guests had tested negative for COVID-19 during swab tests.

The Sabang team that hoisted the flag directly comprised three Paskibraka members: Indrian Puspita Rahmadhani from Aceh, Muhammad Adzan from West Nusa Tenggara, and I Gusti Agung Bagus Kade Sanggra Wira Adhinata from Bali.

Infantry Colonel Muhammad Imam Gogor led the flag-hoisting ceremony as commander, while Military Brigadier General Syafruddin acted as ceremony officer. (ANTARA)