Leading 76th Indonesian Independence Day Ceremony, Anies Encourages All People to Realize Social Justice and Welfare

Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan led ceremony to commemorate the 76th Indonesian Independence Day at Jakarta City Hall Block G Yard, Tuesday (8/17).

It is our responsibility to fulfill the promises of independence, namely to protect, provide social justice, and promote public welfare

He started his remarks by inviting all ceremony participants to re-examine the meaning of unity in the proclamation of Indonesian Independence.

"We remember text of proclamation that was read out, but we rarely find out the meaning of every sentence of the proclamation text. It begins with we, Indonesian people, hereby declare the independence of Indonesia, which means that Indonesian nation exists before the state. This nation consists of various elements that have decided to unite, become one node as Indonesian nation," he conveyed, as quoted from Jakarta PPID Press Release.

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The unification of all components of this nation resulted in collective agreement which decided to be independent and reject all types of colonialism. Because colonialism limits this nation to develop and become prosper. According to him, independence means implementing social justice and welfare for all Indonesian people.

"This independence is our will, this nation feels the pressure of colonialism for a very long time, poverty, malnutrition, and underdevelopment. Thus, this nation rejects colonialism and all elements agreed to be independent in order to present social justice and welfare," he mentioned.

He encouraged all components to take responsibility for providing social justice and welfare which were fought for and mutually agreed upon the pioneers of independence, as well as part of fulfilling Indonesia's independence promises.

"We want to be independent, feel the social justice and welfare. That's why when we commemorate independence, be sure to remember that this is the struggle of entire nation, remember that it is our responsibility to fulfill the promises of independence, namely to protect, provide social justice, and promote public welfare," he explained.

Regarding pandemic situation in Jakarta, he also said that Jakarta Government is trying to protect all Indonesian people. One of the efforts is to carry out vaccination, where Jakarta Government provides vaccines for not only Jakarta residents but all people who carry out activities in Jakarta.

"This is the second year that we commemorate independence day during a pandemic. We must realign our priorities to protect the spilled blood of Indonesia. We protect all, we don't see what their ID card or economic status. Anyone who need health protection, including vaccination, we will provide it. The principle we hold is just and civilized humanity," he said.

"With pandemic as a mirror, we are reminded that safety is above all. It means anything may be different, but when it comes to safety of others, we must unite, collaborate. Because what we are facing doesn't discriminate," he stated.

In facing the pandemic, he continued, extraordina ry stamina is needed. He gave an illustration of how fighters were seeking a way for Indonesia's independence, which took up to 17 years. The time is relatively long, so it requires consistent stamina.

"As we faced colonialism, we show that our generations are capable. In order to achieve independence it took 17 years, imagine that it took extraordinary stamina to face colonial powers without us knowing when it would end. 17 years is very long and requires extraordinary stamina," he assessed.

"We are faced with challenges that require long stamina, pandemics every day, week, month, and even year. Our stamina is tested, we show that the republic still has fighters like the pioneers of independence. We must show that we are able to go through this challenge, once again, we must put safety as the top priority," he closed.