Chairman of the Lake Toba GP Aquabike & F1 Powerboat 2025, Troy Warokka, said the parade marked a unique agenda compared to the previous year's Independence Day commemoration — as the event happens exactly on August 17.
“The 2025 Aquabike event coincides exactly with August 17. This is something different from previous years,” Warokka stated.
A total of 17 racers from various countries competing in the 2025 Aquabike World Championship at Lake Toba took part in the Indonesian flag parade, including world champions — among them, a titleholder from Indonesia.
“This parade also includes a world champion from Indonesia,” he added.
Warokka expressed hope that the flag parade would boost public interest in the ongoing world-class water sports championship taking place in the region.
“Through this activity, we hope the audience is entertained. We also express our gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the success of this event,” he mentioned.
In addition to the flag parade, the 80th Indonesian Independence Day celebrations featured a variety of performances organized by the local government.
The 2025 Aquabike World Championship at Lake Toba runs from August 13 to 17, featuring 53 racers from 24 countries competing in one of Indonesia’s most iconic destinations.
Earlier today, President Prabowo Subianto debuted his role to lead the Flag Ceremony for the 80th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence on Sunday at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.
The President wore traditional national attire, consisting of an ivory top and matching trousers, paired with a maroon and gold songket cloth. He wore a black peci (traditional Indonesian cap) and a jasmine flower around his neck.
Before the ceremony, the Indonesian heirloom flag and the Proclamation Text arrived after being paraded from the National Monument to the Merdeka Palace in a carriage.
Seventeen cannon blasts echoed from the National Monument Park, accompanied by a long siren, marking the beginning of the Flag Ceremony in the Merdeka Palace.
The President then read the Proclamation Text, which was proclaimed 80 years ago by the Proclaimer Soekarno as a sign of Indonesia's independence.
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Translator: Anggi Luthfi, Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
