TNI-AU planes hold flypast over new capital city Nusantara

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) held a flypast over the new capital city, Nusantara, in East Kalimantan, on Sunday during a training session as part of preparations for this year's Independence Day celebration.

The training session involved four F-16 jet fighters and the aircraft of Jupiter Aerobatic Team during which they performed a formation flying over the Garuda Palace and government buildings in the Nusantara area.

The flypast will be showcased to entertain the public and those attending the Independence Day flag-hoisting ceremony, due to be held for the first time in the new capital city on Saturday, August 17.

In connection with the 79th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) previously stated that the flag-raising ceremony would take place in both Nusantara and Jakarta.

To this end, President Jokowi will lead the ceremony in Nusantara, while Vice President Ma'ruf Amin will lead it in Jakarta, Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy said in Jakarta on Monday, June 10.

The Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) had deployed a landing platform dock (LPD) on Sunday, August 4, to transport equipment required for this historic flag-raising ceremony.

On Saturday, August 10, a replica of the heirloom flag and the proclamation text that will be used for the Independence Day ceremony in the new capital cityvarrived at Sepinggan International Airport, Balikpapan.

Acting Governor of East Kalimantan Akmal Malik warmly welcomed the presence of the duplicate heirloom flag and the proclamation text saying that it has shown the state's attention to East Kalimantan.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics announced on Saturday that preparations for the Independence Day ceremony in Nusantara had been over 90 percent finished,

"Nusantara is ready for the August 17 celebration," said Usman Kansong, the ministry's Director of Information and Public Communication.

Government officials, local leaders, and ambassadors from various countries are scheduled to attend the event, he said, adding that transportation for the guests has been arranged.

Indonesia declared its independence on August 17, 1945, shortly after Japan's surrender to the US-led Allied forces of World War II.

The nation's founding fathers, Soekarno and Hatta, declared independence in Jakarta on behalf of all Indonesian people.