The 80th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence, celebrated on August 17, 2025, was marked by a vibrant mix of official ceremony, heartfelt gestures, and pointed reflections—underscoring both national pride and the challenges that lie ahead. At the heart of the festivities was President Prabowo Subianto, who not only led the commemorative events at Jakarta’s Merdeka Palace but also rolled out a landmark initiative aimed at uplifting the nation’s teachers. Alongside the jubilant parades and cultural displays, a chorus of voices—ranging from global leaders to local citizens—offered both congratulations and reminders that the promise of independence is a living, evolving mandate.
International recognition poured in for Indonesia’s milestone. According to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a congratulatory cable to President Prabowo, praying for his health and the prosperity of the Indonesian people. Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman echoed these sentiments, marking the occasion as a moment of hope for further advancement of the nation. Their messages, as reported by ANTARA, highlighted Indonesia’s growing stature on the world stage and the significance of this year’s theme: “United Sovereignty, Prosperous People, Advanced Indonesia.”
President Prabowo’s leadership was front and center during the official ceremony at the Merdeka Palace. In a symbolic gesture that resonated deeply, he kissed the red and white flag before handing it to the lifter, a moment that, as DigitalSiber.id observed, underscored that independence is more than a ritual—it is a promise to be kept. The day’s events did not end with formalities. Music filled the palace grounds as the president, military officials, and everyday citizens danced together, while street vendors served food freely—a true people’s celebration.
The spirit of independence was felt far beyond the palace. In Cilincing, North Jakarta, fishermen and traders, dressed in traditional attire, held spirited competitions at local fish auction sites. Their celebrations were colored by calls for greater government attention to the struggles of small-scale fishers. “The government must pay more attention to small fishermen, so that they can be assisted by the fate of fishermen,” said Ina, a fish trader clad in Bugis traditional dress, as reported by DigitalSiber.id.
Yet, amid the festivities, critical voices emerged to remind the nation of the unfinished business of independence. Megawati Sukarnoputri, Indonesia’s fifth president, urged the revival of mutual cooperation, while Puan Maharani emphasized that the country’s strength lies in building a shared future. Nahdlatul Ulama’s deputy chairperson, KH Zulfa Mustofa, warned that Indonesia still faces a “new invasion” of poverty, ignorance, and injustice. “As long as the people are still poor and access to justice is not evenly distributed, then we are not completely independent,” he said, according to the MUI web.
President Prabowo’s Independence Day address was accompanied by a major policy announcement: the submission of the 2026 State Budget, which includes the largest education allocation in Indonesia’s history—IDR 757.8 trillion. This bold move was met with both praise and skepticism. Jejen Musfah, an education observer from UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, noted that “the main problem was in governance, not numbers.” Ubaid Matraji, coordinator of the Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI), went further, stating that the president’s claims of success were overstated, citing data that the number of out-of-school children had actually risen to 3.9 million.
In a bid to make independence meaningful for educators, President Prabowo unveiled the “Independence Day Gift from the President for Teachers,” a sweeping initiative through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. As detailed by IO, the program provides incentive assistance to 341,248 non-civil servant teachers holding at least a Bachelor’s or Diploma-4 degree, but lacking professional certification. Each eligible teacher will receive Rp300,000 per month for seven months, paid in a lump sum. Non-formal early childhood educators (PAUD) are also set to benefit, receiving an annual wage subsidy of Rp2.4 million. Minister Abdul Muti described the move as “a form of appreciation and care for educators who have long worked under difficult conditions.”
The government has taken steps to ensure the aid reaches its intended recipients, cross-referencing data from the Education Management Information System, the Social Security Agency for Employment, and the Ministry of Social Affairs to avoid overlap with other assistance programs. Funds are being transferred directly to government-opened bank accounts, with a deadline of January 2026 for account activation to guarantee entitlement. The Ministry emphasized that this is not just financial support but an acknowledgment of the vital role non-civil servant and non-formal educators play in shaping Indonesia’s future.
Despite these advances, the wider economic picture remains challenging. According to Kompas and Ministry of Manpower data, 42,385 workers were laid off between January and June 2025, a more than 32 percent increase over the previous year. President Prabowo’s ambitious target to eliminate the budget deficit by 2027 or 2028 was met with skepticism from experts like Eko Listyanto of the Big Data Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef), who pointed out that the deficit has actually widened in recent years—from 2.27 percent of GDP in 2023 to 2.29 percent in 2024, Prabowo’s first year in office.
Other pledges, such as the commitment to control 3.1 million hectares of illegal oil palm plantations, have also drawn public scrutiny. Many Indonesians are waiting to see whether these promises will translate into real action or remain mere rhetoric. Culture Minister Fadli Zon offered a reminder that “development without culture is like a home without foundation,” stressing that cultural identity is essential amid the pressures of globalization.
The day’s reflections coalesced around a central theme: Indonesia’s greatest challenges now come from within. Corruption, money politics, and structural injustice continue to test the nation’s resolve. As the nation celebrated, many were keenly aware that the true measure of independence is not found in ceremonies or speeches, but in the lived reality of justice, opportunity, and dignity for all Indonesians.
As the flag was raised and the music played, hopes ran high that President Prabowo and his administration would deliver on the promise of “United Sovereignty, Prosperous People, Advanced Indonesia.” For many, the day served as both a celebration of past triumphs and a call to action for the work that remains.
