HOLOPIS.COM, JAKARTA – Public enthusiasm to attend Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day ceremony in person at the Presidential Palace complex on Aug. 17, 2026, has surged, with more than 336,000 people registering within just four days of registration opening.
The applicants came not only from across Indonesia but also from overseas, far exceeding the government’s initial capacity for members of the public to attend the ceremony in person. State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said the government initially prepared approximately 5,500 slots for members of the public.
“Of the approximately 5,500 slots we initially prepared, more than 336,000 people registered during the four-day registration period,” Prasetyo said at a press conference, reported by Holopis.com, Tuesday (11/8).
Palace Ceremony Capacity Increased
The sharp increase in registrations prompted the government to expand the capacity for public participation. The organizing committee has prepared an additional block with capacity for approximately 3,400 people to attend the 81st Independence Day celebrations at the Presidential Palace complex.
“That is why we decided, as the organizing committee, to add another block with a capacity of approximately 3,400 people,” Prasetyo said.
However, the additional capacity does not mean all applicants will be able to attend, as the overall capacity of the palace complex remains a key consideration.
To accommodate more people, participants will be divided into two sessions: the morning Independence Day ceremony and the afternoon flag-lowering ceremony.
“We will divide them into two sessions, namely the morning ceremony and the flag-lowering ceremony, so that many more members of the public can attend at the palace,” he explained.
The government hopes the arrangement will allow more Indonesians to experience the Independence Day celebrations directly at the Presidential Palace.
First-Time Attendees Given Priority
The government will also prioritize applicants who have never previously attended an Independence Day ceremony at the palace.
“This year, we also want to prioritize those who have never attended the ceremony at all,” Prasetyo said.
The organizing committee will analyze the registration data, including whether applicants have previously been given an opportunity to attend the ceremony at the palace.
The measure comes after officials found that some applicants had already attended the ceremony at the Presidential Palace several times.
“It is not that they are prohibited, but we will try to allocate slots by prioritizing our fellow citizens who have never attended at all,” he said.
Prasetyo emphasized that the policy does not prevent people who have previously attended from registering again. Instead, the government wants to distribute the opportunity more evenly so that the experience of celebrating Independence Day at the palace can be enjoyed by a wider range of people.
