This shows the state's attention to East Kalimantan, part of which is plotted to become Indonesia's new capital city Nusantara, he said in response to the arrival of the replica of the heirloom flag and the proclamation text at Sepinggan International Airport, Balikpapan, on Saturday.
The duplicate heirloom flag and the proclamation text were then to be paraded to the new capital city (IKN) Nusantara, on the same day, and former Heritage Flag Forces (Paskibraka) would escort the heirloom flag during the parade to IKN.
"After landing in Balikpapan, we have prepared the procession of handing over the heirloom flag to IKN, with 40 Paskibraka troops from East Kalimantan," Malik stated.
AIong with the Regional Police Chief, Military Commander, and the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP), they would escort the parade from Balikpapan to the IKN, which is estimated to take around 1.5 hours, Malik added.
Malik is upbeat that the entire series of Independence Day ceremonies at IKN would run smoothly.
One of the troops escorting the tray of replica heirloom red and white flags, M. Septian Iqbal, expressed pride and honor to be part of the parade.
"This is the first time I have been directly involved in a parade this big, especially in the IKN, which is the new capital city. I feel very proud to be able to represent Balikpapan in this historic moment," he remarked.
Iqbal and his colleagues have undergone intensive training to welcome the arrival of the duplicate heirloom flag from Jakarta.
He stated that the preparations were quite tight. In addition to physical training such as firm steps and marching, they are also equipped with mental training to maintain concentration during the procession.
"Physical training is important, but mentality is also necessary. We must be ready to stand for a long time," he remarked.
Iqbal stated that the Paskibraka team prepared on duty at IKN comprised a combination of Paskibraka members from Balikpapan City and Former National Paskibraka from Jakarta.
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Related news: Heirloom Flag and Proclamation Text leave Jakarta for Nusantara
Translator: Ahmad Rifandi, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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