Indonesia holds Independence Day celebrations in Jakarta, Nusantara

Jokowi attends festivities in new capital, with event scaled down due to logistical issues

- Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja

Indonesia celebrated its Independence Day simultaneously in new capital Nusantara in East Kalimantan, and in Jakarta on Aug 17, with military parades, traditional dances and a fighter jet fly-past.

The country's 79th Independence Day is the last celebration for Mr Joko Widodo as Indonesia's president, as his elected successor Prabowo Subianto will be inaugurated in October.

In Nusantara, Mr Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, and his wife, First Lady Iriana, sat at the main podium near the newly built presidential palace, the Garuda Palace. Mr Prabowo sat on Mr Widodo's right side.

In Jakarta, the event was beamed live on giant screens to guests at the Istana Merdeka presidential palace, led by Vice-President Ma'ruf Amin.

Mr Prabowo's ex-wife Titiek Soeharto, a daughter of Indonesia's second president Suharto, enjoyed the Independence Day celebration from the VIP guests' bench at the Jakarta presidential palace. She was accompanied by a nephew and her nieces.