Indonesia’s Independence Day commemorated

Islamabad:The Embassy of Indonesia hosted a reception here on Thursday to commemorate the 79th anniversary of the Southeast Asian nation's Independence Day.

Housing and works minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada served as the chief guest at the event, with state minister for finance and revenue Ali Pervaiz Malik also being in attendance. Diplomats, government officials, politicians, business leaders, and journalists showed up in large numbers.

Indonesian chargé d’affaires (CdA) Rahmat Hindiarta Kusuma, diplomats, and their families attired in traditional dresses and colourful ethnic outfits, brought a lively and authentic Indonesian ambiance to the event. The venue itself was beautifully decorated with floral arrangements, Batik fabric, and cultural ornaments, which was further enriched by posters of the founding fathers of the respective countries, President Sukarno of Indonesia and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah of Pakistan. The decorations seamlessly blended symbolism and aesthetics, celebrating the shared values of the two nations.

The theme of the reception was ‘New Nusantara, Advanced Indonesia,’ which referred to the current massive development on infrastructure and connectivity across the Indonesian archipelago, including the Indonesian new Capital City of Nusantara (IKN). Indeed, within one decade under incumbent President Joko Widodo, Indonesia has focused on improving the mobility of goods, people, and services through huge investment in infrastructure and connectivity.

“Infrastructure projects across Indonesia are critical, as the Government of Indonesia will never let certain parts of the country be left behind. Once again, improving connectivity and infrastructure means a lot, not only in strengthening economy but also in bolstering the unity of Indonesia,” the chargé d’affaires said as he wore the traditional Javanese outfit inspired by the youth movement in the era of struggle for independence.

“Indeed, Indonesia is not yet a role model, but I would say that Indonesia is an example for political stability, national unity, and economic prosperity,” he added highlighting those issues in his extensive visits to several chambers of commerce and industry, universities, madrasahs, and think tanks in Pakistan.

Touching upon economic cooperation, CdA Rahmat Hindiarta noted that Indonesia and Pakistan have significant untapped opportunities in trade and investment. He invited the Pakistani business community to attend the Indonesia and South and Central Asia Business Forum (INASCA) on 7 October 2024, as well as the prestigious Trade Expo Indonesia on 9-12 October 2024.

Minister Pirzada said Indonesia and Pakistan are two brotherly countries that share firm views on regional and international issues as members of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other international organizations. It is expected that the bilateral relations, including economic cooperation continue to grow. “On behalf of the prime minister of Pakistan, I convey congratulations to Indonesia on its 79th Independence Day,” he said.

The diplomatic reception commenced with a moment of silence to remember and honour those who had sacrificed their lives in Gaza, occupied territories of Palestine, and surrounding countries in the region. The following programs were Indonesian and Pakistani national anthems, followed by a cake-cutting ceremony, and documentary video on Indonesian new Capital City of Nusantara in Kalimantan island.

Another major attraction was the ‘Saman Dance’ from the Indonesian Province of Aceh performed with rhythmic precision by dancers seated in a row. The dancers were Indonesian students in Islamabad. They mesmerized the audience with synchronized hand clapping, chest slapping, and graceful body movements, reflecting Indonesia's vibrant cultural identity. The performance garnered enthusiastic applause, with the audience expressing admiration for Indonesia's artistic and cultural legacy.

One of the highlights of the evening was a captivating fashion show, showcasing Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage. Traditional costumes with distinct textiles, colours, motifs, and symbolic designs enchanted the audience, offering a vivid glimpse into the country’s diverse traditions. The audience was also treated to a sumptuous spread that featured both local and continental cuisine, with Indonesian signature delicacies and drinks stealing the spotlight.