Why Was Prabowo's Portrait Displayed in Jakarta Sky? Palace Explains

State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi has clarified the reason behind a portrait of President Prabowo Subianto being displayed in the sky over Jakarta during the country's 81st Independence Day celebrations. The display, carried out by the Indonesian Military's Army Special Forces (Kopassus), was described as an expression of pride by the soldiers. Prasetyo stated this view during a parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta.

He also highlighted the strengthening of Indonesia's military equipment under the Prabowo administration, which began when Prabowo was defense minister under former President Joko Widodo. This included the introduction of modern weapons systems, known as alutsista, and the participation of Rafale fighter jets and A400M transport aircraft in the Independence Day air show.

The announcer at the ceremony emphasized the importance of the participation of the aircraft and their pilots, stating that it was far more impressive than the display of the portrait. Prasetyo further highlighted the A400M transport aircraft, which can deliver logistics to disaster-hit areas, and pointed out its usefulness in Indonesia, a country prone to natural disasters.

Additionally, Kopassus paratroopers performed a parachute jump from an altitude of 10,000 feet, forming a formation in the sky before landing at the National Monument. As they descended, they unfurled a 12-by-8-meter Indonesian flag and displayed a large portrait of Prabowo.