Robert Go, Jakarta – Less than four weeks after she became Indonesia's leader, Ms Megawati Sukarnoputri presided over an emotional Independence Day ceremony in front of what was the Dutch colonial governor's palace.

The ceremony, brimming with pomp and splendour, was in stark contrast to Indonesia's very first Independence Day ceremony presided over by her father, Sukarno, 56 years ago.

Then Mr Sukarno had read out a short declaration of independence, following which the first Merah-Putih flag – handstitched by her mother Fatmawati – was raised on a short bamboo pole in front of the family's Jakarta home 56 years ago.

Bung Karno, as the first president is remembered here, once reminisced: "The lack of pomp and splendour was compensated by our hope." And the display of nationalistic fervour was as evident today as it was then.

First, Dr Amien Rais, chairman of the country's supreme legislature MPR, echoed Bung Karno: "With God's blessings, we the Indonesian people declare our freedom." An honour guard, dressed in the national colours and made up of what one MP labelled semi-seriously as "the country's future ministers, or at least Parliament members", then marched to the pole and unfurled the flag.

As the Indonesia Raya anthem rang out across the field, tears started to well in the eyes of some, especially those who are old enough to remember the long struggle against the Dutch colonial and the Japanese occupational regimes.

But it wasn't all nationalism. The spirit of commercialism was clearly present throughout the presidential complex yesterday. Indofood, the country's largest instant-noodle maker, had its logo emblazoned on one side – with the country's symbols on the other – of the fans that were handed out together with the day's programme booklet.

Dunkin Donuts, herbal-drink companies, bakeries and other commercial entities gave out free samples and rubbed elbows with the country's dignitaries on the spacious grounds immediately after the ceremony.

Despite the brouhaha, the hope for the country that Bung Karno talked about was more evident yesterday than during similar celebrations in recent years. It was after all Bung Karno's legacy that made Ms Megawati's ascension to the presidency possible.

The hope shared by men on the streets and VIPs alike is that the daughter can now turn around the country, just as the father had – with his declaration – set the previous generation of Indonesians on an irreversible path towards independence.

All throughout Jakarta yesterday, residents and their children flocked to neighbourhood centres to celebrate and participate in some traditional games – rice-sack races, slimy pole climbs, fish-chip eating contests, marble shoots, or cock fights.

Some took time off from the festivities to comment on Ms Megawati's tenure as president so far. Taxi driver Margono said: "We believed in her before, and now there is evidence to back it up. She has shown that she possesses her father's strength." West Jakarta businessman Sulaiman added: "After her big speech yesterday and all else that has happened since she took over, we can start to see some stability, and that's better than the last two presidents."

[The state news agency, Antara, reported that some 100 Indonesians attended an independence day ceremony in Dili, the capital of East Timor, under tight security provided by UN civilian police. Dili Bishop and Nobel laureate Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo were among those in attendence - James Balowski.]