PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Mayor of Bandung, Muhammad Farhan, gave a special message to the members of the Bandung City Flag Raising Troop (Paskibraka) who will carry out their duties at the ceremony commemorating the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, August 17, 2026.

In front of the Paskibraka members, Farhan emphasized that the task they carried out was not just carrying out a series of marching movements, raising, or lowering the Red and White Flag.

More than that, they carry a symbol of national unity that must be maintained with full responsibility.

Farhan appreciated the discipline, hard work, and determination of the Paskibraka members who had undergone various stages of training to give their best performance at the moment of independence.

"Even though you are still very young, I can feel the discipline you have shown, the hard work you have put in, and the strong desire that has driven you to give your best on August 17, 2026," said Farhan at Bandung City Hall, Monday (10/8/2026).

According to him, the experience of being a Paskibraka is an important part of the members' life journey which will be remembered in the future.

He asked the participants not only to prepare physically, but also to build determination, clarity of mind, and awareness as part of the nation's next generation.

Farhan then invited the Paskibraka members to see Indonesia from a broader perspective.

According to him, Indonesia is a great country that was built not because it has similarities in everything, but because it is able to unite various differences.

He touched on the conditions in Indonesia, which has more than 17 thousand islands, hundreds of millions of people, and diverse ethnicities, religions, cultures, and socio-economic conditions.

"Do we live on the same land? Do we live in the same country? Are all our brothers of the same religion? No. But are we united as one nation? Yes," he said.

Farhan reminded us that the idea of unity had grown long before Indonesia's independence.

He referred to the 1928 Youth Pledge when young people declared one homeland, one nation and one unified language.

According to Farhan, this spirit is an important foundation for the birth of Indonesia as a nation capable of uniting a very large region and people with diverse backgrounds.

"Indonesia is a nation that was born not because of similarities, but because of differences," he said.

Therefore, he asked the Paskibraka members to use the flag-raising momentum as an opportunity to understand the meaning of unity.

When they stand in one line, Farhan hopes that not only will the body movements be uniform, but there will also be a common goal to provide the best for the nation.

"We entrust the unity of the Indonesian nation and state to you. Give your best on August 17th. Not only should you take unified steps, not only should you look ahead with a sharp gaze, not only should you puff out your chest, but also should you have a strong heart, a focused mind, and the intention to give your best for your nation and state," he stressed.

Farhan said that the task of being a Paskibraka is an opportunity for the younger generation to make a real contribution to Indonesia, even though it is done through a simple but meaningful task.

He appreciated all members of the Bandung City Paskibraka, the trainers, coaches, and seniors who had accompanied the training process.

According to him, Paskibraka development must continue on an ongoing basis so that the values of discipline, nationalism, and unity can be passed down from one generation to the next.

"My deepest gratitude and appreciation to all members of the Bandung City Paskibraka, all the coaches, mentors, and seniors who have never let up. This task must be passed down from one generation to the next and become something of the best," he concluded.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/rka)