No Plan Set in Stone for Independence Day Ceremony at IKN, Govt Sources Say

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has yet to declare whether the Independence Day ceremony on August 17 will again be held at Garuda Palace in Nusantara Capital City (IKN) or remain at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.

Basuki Hadimuljono, the head of IKN Authority, said that nothing was decided yet for the 80th year of Indonesian Independence. "There are no plans in place for the event," Basuki said after a meeting at the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission II in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

The Independence Day ceremony last year was held in IKN, with about 1,400 guests attending the flag-hoisting ceremony. State officials, ministers, religious and cultural figures, as well as workers and employees around the Nusantara project, were in attendance.

At that time, only the flag-hoisting ceremony for the 79th Indonesian Independence Day was held at IKN, while the events at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta followed in a hybrid manner.

Last year marked the end of President Joko Widodo's term in office. At that time, Prabowo Subianto, who was the president-elect, had mentioned the possibility of holding another Independence Day ceremony in the new capital. "God Willing, we will be here again," he said in front of the State Palace, IKN, East Kalimantan, on Saturday, August 17, 2024.

But Prabowo was not able to confirm whether the 80th Indonesian Independence Day events will also be held in two locations. "We'll see, but the main thing is the ceremony will be held here (IKN)," said the Chairman of the Gerindra Party.

The Independence Day ceremony this year may not be held at IKN, as several members of the House who spoke with Tempo throughout the week mentioned that it will be held at Jakarta's Merdeka Palace. One of them, who is aware of the discussion regarding the preparation for the ceremony, said that Prabowo wants the flag-raising ceremony to be held in Jakarta.

The State Secretary Minister, Prasetyo Hadi, has not responded when asked for confirmation about the plans for the 80th Indonesian Independence Day this year. 

The deputy chair of House Commission II, Bahtra Banong, leaves the decision of holding the Independence Day ceremony in Jakarta or IKN to the government. "The House of Representatives only receives invitations," he said after the plenary session of the DPR. The Gerindra Party politician admitted that he does not know whether President Prabowo Subianto is willing to hold the Independence Day commemoration in Jakarta or at IKN.

Francisca Rosana contributed to the writing of this article.

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