Kapuas Hulu, August 17, 2025 — The spirit of Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day reverberated strongly across the nation’s borders with neighboring countries. Thousands of residents and joint officers gathered at the Badau Border Crossing Post (PLBN) in Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan, on Sunday (Aug 17, 2025), to take part in a solemn yet festive flag-raising ceremony infused with patriotic pride.
The Red-and-White flag was hoisted at precisely 8:00 a.m. local time at Pancasila Field, PLBN Badau, under the leadership of Inspector General of Police Chaidir, who served as the ceremony’s commander.
In his address, Inspector General Chaidir—who also serves as Senior Expert Lecturer and Researcher at the Indonesian National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas)—emphasized that Independence Day commemorations at border areas are not merely ceremonial, but a living testament to love for the homeland.
“Marking August 17 at the border reminds us to continue advancing national priorities and nurturing our devotion to the nation,” he said.
He further underlined the importance of improving the welfare of communities living in Indonesia’s frontier regions. “The 80th Independence Day theme reminds us that border communities have the right to prosper and move forward. Downstreaming must become a strategy to build new supply chains, while digitalization at PLBNs must be strengthened to enhance both monitoring and services for cross-border travelers, Indonesian and foreign alike.”
He also called on border residents to embody the spirit of nationalism. “Every Indonesian citizen living along the border must stand as guardians of sovereignty at the nation’s front yard,” he concluded.
Following the ceremony, the celebrations grew even livelier with cultural performances including traditional dances, pencak silat martial arts, and a marching band, adding color and joy to festivities that lasted from morning until late afternoon.
At PLBN Badau, the Independence Day excitement had actually begun earlier, running from August 11–15, with various competitions such as Mobile Legends tournaments, tug-of-war, pillow fights, and traditional cracker-eating contests, capped by a community health walk. These activities not only fostered togetherness but also helped preserve local traditions.
The Badau celebration was part of a nationwide initiative led by the National Border Management Agency (BNPP), which held simultaneous flag ceremonies across 15 border posts on Sunday, August 17, 2025, to commemorate the nation’s 80th Independence Day.
This year’s theme, “Unity, Sovereignty, People’s Prosperity, Advancing Indonesia,” symbolizes the nation’s long journey toward a century of independence and reflects the enduring spirit of nationalism as a foundation for the future.
At each border post, the ceremony was led by senior officials—either echelon I leaders from the Ministry of Home Affairs and BNPP, or high-ranking representatives from partner ministries and institutions.
BNPP Secretary Commissioner General of Police Makhruzi Rahman affirmed that flag ceremonies at PLBNs are part of a broader effort to strengthen nationalism in frontier regions.
“Borders are not just dividing lines—they are Indonesia’s front porch. Through the momentum of Independence Day, we want border communities to feel the same pride as those at the heart of the capital,” he said.
List of PLBNs and Ceremony Commanders:
- PLBN Serasan, Natuna, Riau Islands – Yedi Rahmat, Deputy Assistant for Maritime Border Area Potential, BNPP RI
- PLBN Jagoi Babang, Bengkayang, West Kalimantan – Dr. Robert Simbolon, BNPP Expert Group
- PLBN Aruk, Sambas, West Kalimantan – Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Ramses Limbong, Deputy for Border Infrastructure Management, BNPP RI
- PLBN Entikong, Sanggau, West Kalimantan – Insp. Gen. (Ret.) Drs. Hamidin, BNPP Expert Group
- PLBN Badau, Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan – Insp. Gen. Chaidir, Senior Lecturer & Researcher, Lemhanas RI
- PLBN Sebatik, Nunukan, North Kalimantan – Insp. Gen. Edi Mardianto, Special Advisor to the Minister of Home Affairs for Law and National Unity
- PLBN Labang, Nunukan, North Kalimantan – Dr. Gutmen Nainggolan, Head of Planning and Cooperation Bureau, BNPP RI
- PLBN Long Nawang, Malinau, North Kalimantan – Amrullah M. Ridha, Deputy Assistant for Physical Infrastructure, BNPP RI
- PLBN Motaain, Belu, East Nusa Tenggara – Dr. Halilul Khairi, Rector of IPDN
- PLBN Motamasin, Malaka, East Nusa Tenggara – Dr. Nurdin, Deputy for State Border Management, BNPP RI
- PLBN Wini, North Central Timor, East Nusa Tenggara – Commissioner General of Police Makhruzi Rahman, Secretary of BNPP RI
- PLBN Napan, North Central Timor, East Nusa Tenggara – Insp. Gen. Edfrie R. Maith, Deputy for Border Area Potential Management, BNPP RI
- PLBN Skouw, Jayapura, Papua – Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Ali Hamdan Bogra, BNPP Expert Group
- PLBN Sota, Merauke, South Papua – Dr. Sugeng Hariyono, Head of BPSDM, Ministry of Home Affairs
- PLBN Yetetkun, Boven Digoel, South Papua – Dr. H. Suhajar Diantoro, Vice Rector for Law, Cooperation, and Human Resources, IPDN, Ministry of Home Affairs.
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