The arrival of President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto in Singapore for the National Day celebrations on Saturday (Aug. 9) was met with a warm reception and an outpouring of patriotism from Indonesians living in the city-state just days ahead of the nation’s 80th Independence Day on August 17. Small Indonesian and Singaporean flags waved in unison as members of the diaspora, Indonesian citizens, and students filled the hotel lobby, greeting the President with cheers and applause. Among the crowd, Cindy Claresta, representing Indonesians in Singapore, shared a heartfelt message for the homeland, expressing her hope for Indonesia to continue succeeding and growing rapidly, with improvements in education. She highlighted Indonesia’s achievements over the past year, laying a strong foundation for the future. Cindy also conveyed her excitement for the country’s accomplishments and hoped for the emergence of new talents in the journey towards Indonesia Emas 2045. Concluding her remarks with a spirited call, she declared, “Happy 80th Independence Day, Indonesia! Merdeka!” The enthusiastic response and cheers from the crowd showcased a strong sense of people-to-people diplomacy, demonstrating that love for the motherland only intensifies when welcoming the nation’s leader during a historic milestone.
