Thousands of Climbers Commemorate Independence Day At Mt Semeru

Lumajang, E Java (Antara Bali) - Thousands of mountain climbers from across the country celebrated the 70th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence at three spots on Mount Semeru, which is 3,676 meters above sea level, on Monday.

"Some three thousand climbers held flag hoisting ceremonies at three locations - Ranupani, Ranu Kumbolo and Kalimati," the Head of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) Office, Ayu Dewi Utari, said on Monday.

Members of the public were very enthusiastic about participating in the event, due to which the quota of having 3000 participants was fulfilled quickly, he added.

The authorities had also restricted the number of participants because the volcano's current status is still alert. Climbers were prohibited from climbing Mount Semeru's Mahameru peak.

Indonesians celebrated the country's Independence Day through various events, such as flag hoisting ceremonies held on a mountain, underwater, under earth, on a train, and in the middle of the sea.

In Papua, a flag hoisting ceremony was held at a PT Freeport Indonesia mine in the Deep Mile Level Zone (DMLZ), which is located some 1.6 kilometers deep from the Earth's surface.

The President Director of PT Freeport Indonesia, Maroef Sjamsoddin, acted as the inspector of ceremony at the event, which drew participation of the mining company's employees and local inhabitants.
In Bogor, West Java, passengers on the Bogor-Jakarta railway commuter line also took part in a flag hoisting ceremony held on a train heading to Jakarta.

Organized by the Indonesian Railway company PT KAI, the event saw participants singing the national anthem "Indonesia Raya" on the train.

PT KAI provided free rides to all passengers from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. to mark the Independence Day celebrations, which fell on August 17.

The railway company, which is a state-run enterprise (BUMN), joined the State Enterprises (BUMN) Ministry during the Independence Day commemoration, which was themed, "BUMN is Present for The Country."
Nationally, the government had chosen "Let's Work," as the theme for the commemoration. (WDY)