Vice President Gibran inaugurates 76 Paskibraka members for Indonesia's 81st Independence Day

Vice President Gibran inaugurates 76 Paskibraka members for Indonesia's 81st Independence Day

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka formally inaugurated the 76 members of the 2026 Heirloom Flag-Hoisting Troop (Paskibraka) at the State Palace in Jakarta on Saturday, two days before they perform their ceremonial duties at Indonesia's 81st Independence Day anniversary celebrations.

Indonesia's 14th and youngest Vice President, who assumed office in October 2024 at age 37, presided over the ceremony that will see these young Indonesians raise the national flag at Merdeka Palace on August 17. The date marks 81 years since Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta proclaimed Indonesia's independence from the Netherlands in 1945.

Selection and Composition of the Troop

The 76-member troop comprises 38 male and 38 female students, with two representatives from each of Indonesia's 38 provinces. These young people were selected from approximately 24,500 participants through a rigorous multi-stage selection process spanning from school level to national level, involving months of intensive physical and mental training.

Inauguration Ceremony

Julita Rista Lestari from East Kalimantan served as ceremony leader during the inauguration. After the national anthem Indonesia Raya was sung, Yudian Wahyudi, Head of the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency, led the 76 youths in reciting the Paskibraka Pledge. The agency, established in 2018, is tasked with preserving Pancasila, Indonesia's state ideology, and overseeing its development and implementation.

Yudian instructed the ceremony leader to hold the national flag in her right hand and rest it against her chest as the troop made their solemn commitment to the nation. In their pledge, the Paskibraka members affirmed their loyalty to the Indonesian nation, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, the 1945 Constitution, and Pancasila.

The young flag-bearers also pledged to contribute to building a just and prosperous society based on Pancasila values while respecting the nation's cultural diversity. Recognizing their potential as future leaders, they committed to upholding the spirit of independence and continuing the nation's struggle.

May God Almighty bless you with His grace and ease in carrying out your state duty.

Historical Background of Paskibraka

The Paskibraka tradition dates back to 1946, when it was first conceived by Major Husein Mutahar, who was tasked by President Soekarno to prepare the flag ceremony for Indonesia's second Independence Day anniversary. The iconic 17-8-45 formation used by Paskibraka was later formulated in 1967 by Major Husein Mutahar and Idil Sulaeman at President Suharto's request, with the numbers symbolically representing Indonesia's independence date of August 17, 1945.

Following the oath, Gibran symbolically inaugurated the troop by pinning the Paskibraka badge and fastening the ceremonial sash on each member before greeting them individually. The Vice President, who is the eldest son of Indonesia's seventh President Joko Widodo and previously served as Mayor of Surakarta from 2021 to 2024, blessed the young Indonians as they prepared for their historic role in the upcoming national ceremony.