REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) paid tribute to some 9,568 fallen heroes at Kalibata Heroes' Cemetery on the occasion of the National Independence Day commemoration, here, in the wee hours of Monday morning.
"We are present here today, Monday, August 17, 2015, at midnight, in a ceremony to remember the heroes resting here, for their services to the nation," the president affirmed.
The head of state said he highly honored the unknown fallen heroes across the country.
Jokowi prayed that the heroes were granted the best place beside God.
"Your struggle is our struggle, and your way is also our way. May God grant your soul rest, and may you earn God's acceptance," President Jokowi stated.
The 15-minute-long ceremony was attended by Vice President Jusuf M. Kalla, several cabinet ministers, Commander of the National Defense Forces (TNI) General Gatot Nurmantyo, and National Police Chief General Badrodin Haiti, among others.
President Jokowi is scheduled to lead a flag hoisting ceremony at the State Palace to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence, which falls on August 17.
Representatives of several member countries of the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions (AACC) are expected to attend the flag hoisting ceremony.
"Of the 22 member countries of the AACC, 17 will attend the Independence Day ceremony at the presidential palace," Chairman of the Indonesian Constitutional Court (MK) Arief Hidayat noted on Friday.
The MK of the Republic of Indonesia is hosting the board members' meeting of the AACC and the international symposium on constitutional complaints.
On August 17, 1945, Indonesia declared its independence from the Dutch colonizers. The Dutch had colonized Indonesia for some 350 years, and Japan for 3.5 years.
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