Skip to main content

Indonesian Independence Day

Indonesia's 63rd Independence Day

The Indonesian declaration of independence was officially proclaimed at 10.00 a.m. on Friday, August 17, 1945, by our first president, Soekarno. Today, August 17, 2008, Indonesia my beloved country, celebrates the 63rd independence day. The official theme from the government was (sorry, I did not translate it in English to avoid wrong interpretation):

Dengan Semangat Proklamasi 17 Agustus 1945, Kita Lanjutkan Pembangunan Ekonomi Menuju Peningkatan Kesejahteraan Rakyat, serta Kita Perkuat Ketahanan Nasional Menghadapi Tantangan Global.

The good news at this celebration moment was the country's poverty rate has decreased from 17.7 percent in 2006 to 15.4 percent in March 2008. This was the lowest poverty figure during the last 10 years.

If you was here, you may see various unique races to celebrate it, like: Lomba Panjat Pinang (pinang climbing competition), Lomba Lari Karung (sack running competition), Lomba Makan Kerupuk (cracker eating competition), etc. The neighborhood association coordinate special activities and may request donations from each family to sponsor the games and prizes. I think this was good activity to strengthen relations between the neighbors. This was my little effort as a blogger to celebrate our country's Independence Day.

Pinang climbing competition.

Sack running competition.

Cracker eating competition.

Other funny games.
Labels:

Comments

  1. By : One of Indonesian People17/8/08

    MERDEKA!!!!!!!! more articles from Indonesia in English, visit http://www.expectindo.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous19/8/08

    Reducing poverty from 17.7 to 15.4% is remarkable achievement. I hope that you will reduce it further every year as, from all accounts, Indonesia is on the right track as far as economics is concerned.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Chubskulit Rose20/8/08

    enjoy your freedom!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tikno20/8/08

    To : Rummuser
    I hope so. I hope poverty's figure will also decrease on another country. Thanks for your comment.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tikno20/8/08

    To: Chubskulit
    I think not only for me, it's for all people. Thanks for your comment

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

NOTE: comment moderation is activated due to a lot of spam comments. Comments containing racial hatred, personal attacks, or advertising are strictly prohibited.

POPULAR POSTS LAST 7 DAYS:

Five things I am proud of

I am typing this post while accompanying my baby sleeping at night. Jim Belshaw from Personal Reflections site, as I read on his short profile is a manager, strategic consultant, freelance researcher and social commentator, has asked me to write about 5 things I am proud of. And below is my duty for Jim. Become a father . I do not have a child during the first three-year marriage. Problem? maybe not in western but few bother here. In a relax chat people often ask : "How many children do you have?". While joking, my best friend ever said: "You're not yet being a real father until you have a child". Hmm... an uncomfortable question. But now I have Ely and Alex. Maybe Jim or readers will be laughing at me for this one, ha... ha... Not an unemployment . Really I will feel low-self if it happened. Harmonious with my siblings . Care each other when in trouble. Of course I need harmony with other people but with own siblings is the fundamental thing. My parents live w...
54 comments
Read more

Long journey for alcoholic beverage in Indonesia

Two sides of the wish. Circulation of beverages containing ethyl alcohol (alcoholic beverage), such as Beers, Tequila, Vodka, Martell, Johnny Walker, Hennessy, Wine, etc, seems to still be a prolonged debate in Indonesia as the country with the largest Muslim population in the world. MUI (Majelis Ulama Indonesia / English: Indonesian Ulema Council ) as the highest Muslim authority in Indonesia has issued a Fatwa that stated "Haram" ( Haraam / forbidden) for these type of drinks. I believe that all religions in Indonesia (Islam, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu) including all good parents do not want their children to be a drunkard. In this case, I think, Muslim community is more extreme against this alcoholic beverage. On the other hand, Pancasila is the philosophical fundamentals of the state, and the national motto is "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity). The country need to protect pluralism and diversity in the society under "one umbrella". It...
36 comments
Read more

Night Worker Ladies between pity and cost of living

I use the term "night worker ladies" (nightclub ladies) for women who work in the night entertainment business (pub, discotheque, nightclub, etc.) with the task of accompanying the guests to drink alcoholic beverages for pleasure and making them "happy" . Several venues in Indonesia use the term escort ladies or just "ladies". My friend from China called them 喝酒的女孩 (Hējiǔ de nǚhái). Their income is based on the number of hours gathered from accompanying their guests and tip money. At that time, I worked in one of the best nightclubs, with a position on the managerial level. I often saw several of them (night worker ladies) get reprimands from their superiors (usually called Momy) because they were absent. At one time, I asked one of them (who is often absent) just to know what the problem was. Our conversation was as follows (translated into English): Me: "Why are you often absent? I care for you. That's why I talked to you." (She looked dow...
22 comments
Read more