The National Flag Raising Troop (Paskibraka), made up of youths from all over Indonesia, performed their duties admirably during the ceremony of the 78th Indonesian Independence Day at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta. The Red and White Flag of Indonesia now flutters on the Palace’s flagpole.
This year’s flag raising ceremony is considered special. Since four new provinces were inaugurated earlier this year, the new Southwest Papua, Highland Papua, Central Papua, and South Papua provinces contributed members to be part of the National Flag Raising Troop serving at the palace.
The members were Lilly Indriani Suparman Wenda and Mahardhika Benhill Wapai from Highland Papua, Gebby Dimara and Yan Loi Oktavianus from Southwest Papua, Kefira Melinda Arsal and Martinus Arnold Yogi from Central Papua, and Esthi Stevanie Hamadi and Juan Paulinus Damianus Faya from South Papua.
This opportunity is considered an honour for the sons and daughters of the four new provinces. This was expressed by them during the appointment of the National Flag Member Troop members at the State Palace, as stated on the official website of the Cabinet Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia.
Lilly Indriani, a member from Highland Papua was unable to contain her sense of pride. Not only was she appointed member of the troop, she was entrusted as flag-bearer. The sense of pride only increased as the President and First Lady witnessed their flag raising rehearsal in person.
“I felt very proud and happy. When I was carrying the flag on the tray, I wasn’t aware that the President was watching upstairs. Only when I was downstairs did I see him. I’m so glad that he was able to watch in person,” Lily said.
Her fellow member, Mahardhika Benhill also expressed joy and pride at being appointed a member of Paskibraka from Highland Papua Province. Mahardhika felt lucky that his dream of becoming a member of the troop has come true. He was also grateful for the regional expansion which led to the establishment of the Highland Papua Province. It was due to this that his path to becoming a member of the national troop was made possible.
“To be honest, I feel very lucky, because I’ve always wanted to go to a test in Papua. It’s only since there’s a new province that it’s become easier to become part of the national troop,” Mahardhika said.
The member from South Papua, Juan Paulinus Damianus Faya had a different experience. His road to becoming a member was more challenging. Juan who comes from Asmat County had to sail for five days and five nights to reach Merauke County, to follow the selection.
“I heard information that there was a selection for the provincial level from the soldiers stationed in Asmat. So that’s where I wanted to sign up. I signed up at the Asmat military sector command headquarters. We departed by boat, on a five-day and five-night journey from Asmat to Merauke,” said Juan.
Having succeeded in becoming one of the members of the National Troop after a tough struggle, Juan also imparted his advice to the young generation in South Papua to remain enthusiastic in pursuing and realizing their ideals. Juan also thanked President Jokowi for paying attention to and developing South Papua.
“We thank President Jokowi for coming to Asmat, and helping build our airport that was once very small, it was only a steel carpet that can only accommodate small aircraft but now can already accommodate Trigana Air and Wings (Air) airplanes. To President Jokowi, I thank you very much,” he said.
West Papua Now 