Mazka Hauzan Naufal, Pati – The 81st Indonesian Independence Day commemorations took place in a solemn atmosphere at Omah Kendeng in Sukolilo district, Pati regency, Central Java, on Monday August 17.
Hundreds of people comprising local residents, representatives of the Shadow Cabinet, academics and civil society coalition activists, gathered for a flag-raising ceremony along with the ordinary people.
The ceremony was led by Sedulur Sikep community leader Gunretno.
Gunretno delivered a profound message to the participants about the fundamental essence of nationalism amidst the struggle of residents and farmers in the Kendeng Mountains region, who have been defending the environment from the threat of karst mining for more than 20 years.
"This ceremony is to embody [the state ideology] Pancasila not just a text", asserted Gunretno.
Several figures from the recently formed Shadow Cabinet were present among the participants, including Shadow Minister of Finance and Budget Governance Bhima Yudhistira, Shadow Minister of Economic Affairs Media Wahyudi Askar, Shadow Minister of Social Affairs and Basic Services Nabiyla Risfa Izzati and Shadow Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Isnawati Hidayah.
Representing his colleagues in the Shadow Cabinet, Askar stated that their visit to the field was an effort to foster solidarity.
"Our presence is to be part of the cornerstones of the people's movement so that they are connected to each other", said Askar.
In addition, the event was also attended by the Republic Conference network, academics from the Interdisciplinary Intellectual Forum (FIAD), the New Indonesia Cooperative, the Semarang Legal Aid Institute (LBH) and the Nurul Asri Mosque Management.
FIAD academic Bivitri Susanti highlighted the importance of civil consolidation amidst the increasing heavy pressures of life.
"Amidst the country's extremely difficult situation for its citizens, all groups must unite in every citizen's struggle", said Susanti.
Similarly, Yanuar Nugroho from the Republic Conference explained that their involvement was a tangible form of support for citizens who dare to imagine and independently realise their own future.
The author of the book Reset Indonesia, Dandhy Laksono, who attended on behalf of the New Indonesia Cooperative, also expressed his full support for the Kendeng residents' struggle.
The commemoration of Indonesia's 81st anniversary of independence in Sukolilo is an important symbol of the people's movement that continues to demand change and improvement for the nation.
Constitutional law expert from FIAD, Zainal Arifin Mochtar, concluded the ceremony by emphasising the perspective of independence.
"It is necessary to inspire how the people view independence, not just how the state views it", asserted the man known by his friends as Uceng. (mzk)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Merajut Solidaritas di Pegunungan Kendeng Pati, Kabinet Bayangan Hadiri Upacara Bersama Pejuang".]
