Indonesian embassy marks independence day

AMMAN — Indonesian Ambassador to Jordan Andy Rachmianto on Saturday led a ceremony to celebrate the country’s 74th independence day. 

Hundreds of Indonesians living in Amman participated in the ceremony convened at Aramex Club, Abdoun, an embassy statement said. 

Ambassadors from ASEAN member countries and the members of the Jordan Indonesian Friendship Association (JIFA) were among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony.

"In Indonesia, the flag-hoisting ceremony is widely practised every August 17 by government officials and students to commemorate the nation’s independence day,” the ambassador was quoted in the statement as saying. 

“The ceremony is practised by Indonesian embassies across the world, including in Jordan. It symbolises our gratitude for being freed from colonialism to stand as an independent state," said the envoy.

"This is the first time for the embassy to hold a flag-raising ceremony and annual festival outside of its premises. I believe that these kind of ceremonial events will promote Indonesia to more Jordanian people," Rachmianto said.

He underlined that "embarking on the 74th year of its independence, Indonesia is eager to become a more advanced and prosperous country by developing and utilising its human capital."  

The vision of human resources development has become the main priority for the Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who has been reelected for the second term for the period 2019-2024, the statement said.

"To boost its economic development and human resources, Indonesia will embrace science and technology like never before," the ambassador continued.   

The Indonesian embassy also hosted an annual festival for its community to celebrate its national day. It offered many activities, such as games, a culinary festival, and music performances.  One of Indonesia's rising stars who has millions of subscribers on YouTube, Nissa Sabyan, took the stage and performed to entertain around 400 people at the festival, the statement said.

The most populous Muslim country proclaimed its independence on August 17, 1945 after being occupied for more than 350 years by foreign powers.  

The proclamation was announced by the two founding fathers, Sukarno and Muhammad Hatta who later on became country’s first president and vice president.  

The opening of bilateral relations between Jordan and Indonesia was initiated during Sukarno’s presidency in 1949, read the statement. 

Since 1950, the diplomatic relations between the two countries have  been progressive and mutually beneficial.  In 2020, Indonesia and Jordan will mark the 70th year of bilateral relations, the statement concluded.