Happy 74th Anniversary Republic of Indonesia: Commitment to integrity stressed

President Joko Widodo wears Balinese traditional clothing before the commemoration of the 74th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia (ANTARA)

Jakarta: Indonesia celebrated its 74^th anniversary as a republic with great fanfare with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stressing that the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) must be placed in the most important position.

“The integrity of NKRI should not be sacrificed. NKRI’s integrity must be placed in the most important position,” President Jokowi said at the commemoration of the 74th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, national news agency ANTARA reported

“Happy 74th Anniversary Republic of Indonesia,” he said, averring his unwavering focus on the development of human resources during his second term 2019-2024.

A character should be built from the start, as it is very important, he added.

“Matters in relation to ethics, discipline, responsibility, independence, and culture of hard work must be built from the start. We must then prepare skills,” said Jokowi, wearing a traditional attire in black, with gold brocade, along with headdress bearing gold motifs, at the ceremony attended by 11,000 people.

Celebrations of the historic day included flag-raising ceremonies and the hoisting of the Red and White at Indonesia’s longest river Kapuas.

According to ANTARA, refugees temporarily accommodated at a former building of the West Jakarta military command in Kalideres took part in several games to commemorate Indonesia’s Independence Day.