Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – The Jakarta Environment Agency collected tens of tons of waste following the 80th Anniversary of Indonesia celebration in the capital on Sunday, August 17, 2025.
The waste came from the carnival and public festivities in Central Jakarta, including the areas around Merdeka Palace, the National Monument, Thamrin Street, Sudirman Street, and Simpang Semanggi.
The festivities began in the morning and ended with a carnival in the evening. "After the carnival and public celebration, officials carried out a thorough cleanup," said the Head of the Jakarta Environment Agency, Asep Kuswanto, on Monday, August 18, 2025.
Asep explained that his agency deployed 1,800 personnel from both the provincial and city levels, supported by the Integrated Waste Processing Unit (UPST) and the Waste Management Unit of the Water Agency (UPSBA). During the celebration up to the flag-lowering ceremony, personnel were stationed at various points and took turns gradually clearing the waste.
The cleaning process was completed at midnight on August 18, 2025. "The entire cleanup was finished late last night, with a total of 360 cubic meters of waste collected, equivalent to 79.29 tons," Asep said.
President Prabowo Subianto attended the National Carnival at the National Monument area on Sunday evening, following the afternoon flag-lowering ceremony at Merdeka Palace.
Tens of thousands of citizens gathered at the National Monument area from the afternoon onward, enthusiastically watching the series of Independence celebrations and the carnival commemorating Indonesia's 80th anniversary.
The crowd cheered as giant trucks transformed into replicas of ministry offices, classrooms, warships, and cultural ornaments passed the honor stage. On the decorated vehicles, ministers, state institution leaders, advisors, and presidential envoys waved to the audience.
Prabowo, standing beside Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, was seen saluting several times as each truck passed.
A total of 32 vehicles joined the evening carnival, representing ministries, state institutions, the TNI, the police, and state-owned enterprises. Some showcased their own vehicles, while others shared space with fellow institutions.
The Head of Presidential Communications, Hasan Nasbi, said the Independence Day celebration was meant to strengthen national pride.
"Our spirit is to honor our predecessors and celebrate independence with all our heart and soul. Anyone who takes part is, in essence, a hero for this nation," he said.
– Dani Aswara contributed to the writing of this article.