President makes history as first head of state to recite proclamation during national ceremony
President Prabowo Subianto presided over his first Independence Day ceremony as head of state, marking Indonesia’s 80th year of freedom with a historic gesture: personally reading the text of the Proclamation of Independence at the State Palace.
A Historic First
The ceremony at Istana Merdeka in Jakarta on Sunday (Aug 17) drew thousands of spectators and dignitaries, including former presidents Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Joko Widodo. For the first time in the nation’s history, the president himself—rather than parliamentary leaders—read the proclamation text aloud after the sounding of sirens and 17 ceremonial cannon shots.
Symbolic Procession
The event began with the ceremonial parade of the national flag and the original proclamation manuscript from Monas to the palace. The procession, featuring cavalry units and performers in Nusantara royal attire, underscored the day’s historical and cultural significance.
Presidential Role and Attire
Serving as Inspector of Ceremony, Prabowo appeared in traditional cream-colored attire during the flag-raising, before later donning a yellow beskap for the morning’s proclamation and a navy blue beskap with a Malay tanjak headpiece for the evening’s flag-lowering ceremony.
Breaking with Tradition
Previously, the proclamation had been read by rotating representatives from the DPR, MPR, or DPD. Records show that since 2004, leaders such as Amien Rais, Hidayat Nur Wahid, Puan Maharani, and Bambang Soesatyo had fulfilled the role. Prabowo’s decision to read it himself marked a significant departure from precedent.
National Celebration
The 80th Independence Day was further enlivened by a people’s festival and a carnival along Jakarta’s Thamrin and Sudirman roads, where thousands of citizens joined in the celebrations. Many had secured coveted invitations to the palace days earlier, reflecting strong public enthusiasm.
By reading the proclamation himself, Prabowo not only led his first Independence Day as president but also left a symbolic imprint on the nation’s 80th anniversary, reinforcing his role in shaping a new chapter of Indonesia’s history.
Sources: Detiknews (2025) , Kompas (2025)
Keywords: Prabowo Subianto, Proclamation Reading, Independence Day Ceremony, HUT RI 80, Istana Merdeka
