The ceremony kicked off at 9:45 a.m. Western Indonesia Standard Time (WIB), as a group from the Protocol of the Army, Navy, Air Force and National Police, military academy cadets, and police academy recruits marched across the ceremonial field.
Col. Pnb. Ronald Lucas Siregar was appointed commander of the ceremony, and the country`s red-and-white flag was raised by the Permata Team, comprising West Java student Moh. Rayhan Akbar; Gilbert Karamoy, a student from North Sulawesi; and Adelena Thessalonians, a student from Southeast Sulawesi.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was accompanied on the stage of honor for the occasion by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono; Vice President Boediono; and Boediono`s wife, Herawati Boediono.
The moment of the proclamation of Indonesia`s independence was marked by 17 rounds of cannon fire, the wail of sirens, and drumbeats at mosques across the country, while church bells pealed, for one minute at 10 a.m.
Following this, Irman Gusman, chairman of the Regional Representatives Council, led the reading of the proclamation manuscript. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono then led the reading of prayers, which were concluded by Religious Minister Suryadharma Ali.
The red-and-white flag was raised at 10:14 a.m., followed by a fly-by maneuver by F-16s and Air Force fighter jets.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
