One Step One Indonesia

Behind the approximately 20-minute-long procession of raising the Red and White Flag, there lies a long journey that shapes the character, discipline, and national spirit of the sons and daughters from various regions in Indonesia.

The journey of the 2026 Heirloom Flag Hoisting Troop (Paskibraka) under the guidance of the Agency for Pancasila Ideology Development (BPIP) began with 119,441 students registering themselves. The selection was conducted in stages, ultimately leaving 228 participants from 38 provinces to undergo central-level verification before 76 individuals, consisting of 38 male and 38 female candidates, were designated as prospective central-level Paskibraka members for 2026.

After passing the selection stages, they underwent centralized education and training that not only focused on marching skills but also included reinforcement of the Pancasila ideology, character building, leadership, discipline, as well as practice for raising and lowering the Heirloom Flag in preparation for carrying out duties at the 81st Independence Day ceremony of the Republic of Indonesia.

Among the 76 participants was Ismi Ulfaida, a student from Sekolah Rakyat Terintegrasi 22 Polewali Mandar, West Sulawesi. This 16-year-old girl became the first student from Sekolah Rakyat to be selected as a central-level Paskibraka member. Only two students from her school registered, and Ismi was the only one who successfully passed.

Ismi's presence brought a different educational background into the Paskibraka ranks; however, these differences were unified through the same stages of development that ultimately formed them into a single unit before performing their duties at the Merdeka Palace.

Their formation also took place through moments not always filled with commands and marching steps. Prior to their inauguration, the prospective Paskibraka members engaged in soul reflection in a silent atmosphere. They opened reflection books, read them, and then wrote answers to several questions that invited them to look back on who they are, the reasons for being there, and to whom the duties they will perform later will be accountable. These notes were recorded in a book containing Pandu Ibu Indonesia.

This series of development activities culminated on August 17, 2026, at the Merdeka Palace, where the Red and White Flag raising ceremony was witnessed directly by President Prabowo Subianto along with his officials and the Indonesian people.

Commands were heard, the flag bearers moved according to their respective roles, while the Red and White Flag was slowly raised to the top of the pole until the Sang Saka Merah Putih fluttered at the Merdeka Palace.

Text and photo: Bayu Pratama S