JAKARTA – A young woman from Papua, Neeltje Deliana Insjowi Werimon, has been entrusted with a key role as the flag tray bearer during the flag-lowering ceremony commemorating the 81st anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.
Neeltje, a student of SMA Negeri 8 Jayapura, represents Papua as a member of Indonesia’s 2026 National Flag-Raising Team (Paskibraka). She is part of the “Indonesia Adil Makmur” team assigned to carry out the flag-lowering ceremony at the presidential palace.
In the main formation, Neeltje will carry the tray used during the handover of the Indonesian Red-and-White flag. The reserve position is assigned to Ismi Ulfaida, a female Paskibraka member representing West Sulawesi and a student at Sekolah Rakyat.
Several other Paskibraka members have also been assigned important positions in the flag-lowering formation.
Atanasius Meyllano Frans Yogar, representing East Nusa Tenggara and a student of SMA Katolik Giovanni Kupang, will serve as Commander of Group 8.
The flag-lowering duty will be carried out by Maharazthu Rizqhy Ramadhana Chubuyana, a Paskibraka representative from West Nusa Tenggara and a student of SMAN 1 Taliwang.
Meanwhile, Mirza Rafi Navazani from West Kalimantan, a student of SMAN 1 Sintang, has been assigned as the flag spreader.
For another formation, the position of Commander of Group 17 has been entrusted to Baruno Wicaksono, a Paskibraka representative from West Java who attends SMA Taruna Nusantara Cimahi.
The Paskibraka Company Commander is Captain Pnb Bagus Setianto, who serves as Head of Flight Operations at FGS Squadron 5, Wing 5 of Sultan Hasanuddin Air Base.
The flag-lowering assignment follows the successful performance of the “Indonesia Berdaulat” Paskibraka Team during the 81st Independence Day Proclamation Seconds Ceremony at Merdeka Palace on Monday morning, August 17, 2026.
During the morning flag-raising ceremony, Celina Olivia Apriani Theo, a Paskibraka member from West Kalimantan, served as the flag tray bearer and handed the National Heritage Flag to flag spreader Aryo Wira Zandhyka from Bengkulu.
“Bendera siap,” or “The flag is ready,” Aryo said.
The national anthem, Indonesia Raya, then filled the palace grounds as President Prabowo Subianto, government officials and members of the public paid tribute to the national flag.
I Nyoman Harya Dhanurendra Darmamukti from South Kalimantan served as the flag raiser. As the national anthem concluded, the Red-and-White flag was successfully hoisted over the grounds of Merdeka Palace.
The ceremony proceeded smoothly without incident. After completing their duties, the “Indonesia Berdaulat” Paskibraka Team returned to formation and moved toward the right side of Merdeka Palace after reporting the completion of their assignment to President Prabowo.
Applause then echoed across the palace grounds as President Prabowo and other state officials expressed their appreciation to the Paskibraka members for carrying out their responsibilities.
The celebration became even more festive when dozens of pigeons were released over the Merdeka Palace grounds, adding to the atmosphere of Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day commemoration.
