TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) started off a "Kirab Merah Putih" or Red and White Parade, joined by more than 10,000 people, from a road in front of the Merdeka Palace, Central Jakarta, on Sunday.

At the event which took place at around 07:00 a.m. local time, President Jokowi was accompanied by an ulema (cleric) named Habib Luthfi bin Yahya, and National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo.

"Along with the police chief and Habib Luthfi bin Yahya, by uttering bismillahirrahmanirrahim (in the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful), the Kirab Merah Putih is flagged off," he said.

According to Habib Luthfi, a member of the Presidential Advisory Board, the Red and White Parade was performed to thank the almighty God for bestowing a country with the wealth of fertile land on Indonesians.

"We had passed through 350 years with fights that had finally enabled us to hoist our national flag. This is not a gift. Instead, the Red and White can be hoisted thanks to the founders of our nation's services," he said.

Therefore, to thank their services, Habib Luthfi called for members of young generation's active contribution to the nation's development.

"Through the parade this morning, we show our readiness for using the Red and White in our lifetime. We are always committed to protecting the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI)," he said.

A collective commitment to serving and protecting the NKRI was the main objective of this Red and White Parade in an endeavor to restore a sense of ownership for the Motherland, Habib Luthfi added.

On August 17 this year, Indonesia celebrated the 77th anniversary of its independence.

A day before the commemoration, President Jokowi delivered his state address at the 2022 annual session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the Joint Session of the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD).

In his state address, President Jokowi highlighted four strengths that Indonesia has. One of them is its ability to emerge as a strong nation in facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

"If we are able to manage the pandemic well, then it means that we will also be able to manage other big agendas. This is our first strength to build our country," Jokowi said.

Indonesia's second strength is its abundant natural resources. "The vast area, with the richest biodiversity in the world, will surely become Indonesia's great strength if we manage it wisely and sustainably."

However, related stakeholders should apply several conditions, including domestic downstreaming and industrialization, to bring added value and maximize national interests, he stated.

"This will open employment opportunities, increase exports, generate foreign exchange, increase state income, and boost economic growth," the president remarked.

President Jokowi noted that the third strength was the demographic bonus or a large number of young people of the productive age.

He believes that the demographic bonus as well as the increasing purchasing power of the people would become the driving force of the national economy in facing the global competition.

The fourth strength is the sharp increase in international trust. Indonesia is accepted by Russia and Ukraine to serve as a communication bridge to broker peace despite the geopolitical situation heating up.

"Indonesia is also trusted by the United Nations as Champions from the Global Crisis Response Group for handling global crises," he added.

ANTARA

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