KUCHING: Indonesians in Sarawak came together for the flag-raising ceremony in conjunction with the 78th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia.
Consul-General of Republic of Indonesia Raden Sigit Witjaksono was glad to see Indonesians gathered for the ceremony which was witnessed by dignitaries from Sarawak and Brunei Darussalam at the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia here this morning.
“This celebration is not just for show, but it is also an effort to involve the citizens of this state so that our relationship can be strengthened.
“There is great hope to see cooperation between the two countries continue, as we are also involved in events in Sarawak such as the Rainforest World Music Festival.
“This is a shoe of good relationship in Borneo which complements each other and it definitely benefits all our citizens,” he said after the ceremony.
Deputy Ministers of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan and Datuk Sebastian Ting were present.
Also present were Special Branch chief SAC Mohd Taufik Toh Abdullah, Consul-General of Brunei Darussalam Noni Zurainah Ismi and Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng.
Sigit said his country’s independence day will be celebrated in Nusantara next year following Indonesia’s shift of capital some time in January.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo will officiate at the ceremony next year, thus marking this year’s independence day celebration in Jakarta for the last time
“When the distance between the capital city and Sarawak gets closer, we can expect a closer relationship between Indonesia and Sarawak,” he added.
He also Kuching-Pontianak air route could be reopened to benefit both countries.
