Jakarta – Indonesia observed its 65th Independence Day solemnly on Tuesday marked with flag hoisting ceremonies, particularly at government offices, throughout the country.

The main event was a flag-hoisting ceremony in the front courtyard of Merdeka Palace, central Jakarta, which began at around 10 am and was led by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Among those sitting on the main podium of the ceremony were First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, Vice President Boediono and his wife, Herawati Boediono. Columns of military and police troops in ceremonial uniforms tightly guarded the palace during the event.

At 10 am sharp, the commemoration of Indonesia's Independence Proclamation was marked with 17 cannon shots, the sounds of sirens, drums in mosques, and bells tolling in churches for around one minute.

The Independence Proclamation text was later read by Chairman of the People's Representatives Council (DPD) chairman Irman Gusman, and the flag hoisting ceremony followed.

Among VIP guests present at the ceremony at the presidential palace were children of the late Soekarno, Indonesia's first president, such as Sukmawati and Guruh, former vice president Try Soetrisno, and a number of foreign ambassadors.

Cabinet ministers and National Police Chief Bambang Hendarso Danuri were also present at the ceremony.

Indonesia was colonized by the Dutch for about 350 years and by the Japanese for around 3.5 years.

On August 17, 1945, Soekarno, accompanied by Muhammad Hatta (Indonesia's first vice president), read the Indonesian Independence Proclamation text in Jakarta at 10 am.