Indonesia celebrates 81st Independence Day with nationwide festivities

Across Indonesia, various regions and organizations are holding diverse events to commemorate the 81st Anniversary of Indonesian Independence. These celebrations range from local community festivities to significant policy discussions and social initiatives.

In many districts, such as Kediri, Bekasi, and Makassar, residents participated in traditional games, parades, and community gatherings. These events often emphasize local culture, such as the Parade Cikar in Kediri, and promote environmental awareness, with officials in Makassar and Manggala encouraging waste sorting at home. In Ambon and Kendal, military personnel and villagers held traditional competitions to foster togetherness.

Political and social organizations are also active; the Democratic Party held community games to raise funds for disaster victims in NTT and Kalimantan. Meanwhile, religious and community groups organized social services, including mass circumcision programs in Bandung. In the energy sector, the Komunitas Migas Indonesia (KMI) has proposed ten ‘Golden Rules’ for the 2026 Oil and Gas Bill to ensure legal certainty and attract investment.

Infrastructure and utility updates include the joint construction of the Garuda Bridge by the TNI and residents in Pandeglang, and PLN offering a 50 percent discount on power capacity increases through its ‘Merdeka Day’ promotion in Maluku and North Maluku.