President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, received a warm welcome upon his arrival in Singapore for the National Day celebrations on Saturday. The event was not just a celebration of the host country but also sparked an overflow of patriotism from Indonesians living in Singapore, just days before Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day on August 17th.
The hotel lobby was filled with small Indonesian and Singaporean flags waving as members of the diaspora, Indonesian citizens, and students gathered to greet the President with cheers and applause. Among the crowd was Cindy Claresta, representing Indonesians in Singapore, who shared a heartfelt message for their homeland.
Cindy expressed her hope for Indonesia to continue succeeding and growing rapidly, particularly in the field of education. She noted the country’s achievements over the past year, emphasizing the strong foundation laid for the future. Looking ahead, Cindy highlighted the need for new talents to emerge in line with Indonesia’s aspirations for the future, including the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045.
In closing, Cindy delivered an electrifying call to celebrate Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day, exclaiming “Merdeka!” which was met with enthusiastic applause and cheers from the audience. This moment showcased the power of people-to-people diplomacy, illustrating how love for the motherland only deepens when abroad, especially when honoring the nation’s leader during such a significant milestone.
