Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie said that Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day serves as momentum to strengthen and advance the nation’s science and technology sector.
"There is a special meaning to this Independence Day. It is clear that President Prabowo Subianto is determined to develop science and technology in Indonesia, and this is reflected in the progress we have made so far," Christie told journalists at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Sunday, during the 80th Independence Day commemoration.
She emphasized that the anniversary should also serve as a reminder of the urgency for Indonesia to enhance its science and technology capacity.
"I am very grateful to have been given the mandate to build Indonesia's science and technology ecosystem," she added.
President Prabowo Subianto, for the first time, led the Commemoration Ceremony of the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence on Sunday morning, followed by the Flag Lowering Ceremony in the afternoon.
At the morning ceremony, he wore traditional Malay beskap attire with songket cloth, while in the afternoon he donned traditional Malay clothing complete with a head covering.
Both ceremonies, held at the Merdeka Palace, were part of a series of events marking the 80th anniversary and were attended by around 16,000 people, most of them members of the public.
Former presidents and vice presidents also attended the morning ceremony, including the 6th President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the 7th President Joko Widodo, the 6th Vice President Try Sutrisno, the 10th and 12th Vice President Jusuf Kalla, and the 13th Vice President KH Ma’ruf Amin.
The 11th Vice President Boediono and Sinta Nuriyah Wahid, the wife of the 4th President Abdurrahman Wahid, were also present.
During the Flag Lowering Ceremony, President Prabowo expressed his gratitude to all participants. "I would like to express my appreciation to everyone who joined the ceremonies from morning until evening. You carried out the events in an orderly and spirited way. I am proud of all of you. Thank you," he said.
