Resident-designate Prabowo Subianto has vowed to carry on the legacy of his predecessor, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, by hosting next year’s Independence Day celebrations in Nusantara, which were successfully kicked off at this year’s celebrations on Saturday.
“God willing, (next year’s celebrations) will be held here,” Prabowo told reporters in Nusantara on Saturday after the flag-raising ceremony.
Sitting next to Jokowi and First Lady Iriana Widodo, Prabowo watched the outgoing president lead his final Independence Day celebration in the future capital.
More than 1,000 guests attended the ceremony, wearing traditional clothing from cultures across the archipelago and sitting on a grassy area in front of the Nusantara State Palace.
The government had originally planned to invite up to 8,000 guests to the ceremony, but the guest list was later reduced to 1,300 due to a lack of accommodation due to ongoing construction work.
Saturday’s celebration at the new Garuda Palace in Nusantara coincided with an Independence Day celebration at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, attended by Vice President Ma’ruf Amin and Vice President-elect and Jokowi’s eldest son Gibran Rakabuming Raka. The government said the parallel events were meant to honour Jakarta and stage a “transition ceremony” to the new capital.
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning.
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