Indonesian Independence Day: BPIP Ensures 18 Flag-Hoisting Members to Don Hijab After Removal Controversy

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP) Public Relations Chief Manhan Marbawi apologized after 18 women members of the flag-hoisting team were seen without their hijab during the team’s inauguration in Nusantara Capital City (IKN). Marbawi said the members will don their hijab again during the actual Indonesian Independence Day ceremony on August 17, 2024.

"We apologize for the commotion that occurred. They will still wear the hijab (later during the ceremony)," Marbawi told Tempo via text message on Thursday, August 15, 2024.

Marbawi claimed there was no coercion to remove the hijab during the inauguration on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. However, BPIP will thoroughly evaluate the issue, including the newly issued regulation. 

BPIP has uploaded a rehearsal video of the flag-hoising team at IKN. Some of the members were seen donning their hijab. 

Previously, the Head of the Presidential Secretariat Heru Budi Hartono admitted that he did not know that 18 members of the flag-hoising team, locally known as Paskibraka, had removed their hijabs during the inauguration. He did not receive any report about it from BPIB, Heru Budi said. 

Heru Budi claimed the State Secretariat mandated for the members to keep wearing their hijab while on duty. "Our order was for the girls who wear hijab to keep wearing theirs,” he said on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.

Heru Budi ensured that the 18 flag-hosting members would wear their hijab on August 17, 2024, despite being asked to remove them during the inauguration. 

"They already wear the hijab this morning (Wednesday) while conducting the second rehearsal,” he said. 

DESTY LUTHFIANI

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