The Importance of Flag Raising Ceremonies by Jennifer Wongsosaputro (Sec 2)

For all of us in NationalHigh, the flag raising ceremony is a weekly occurrence and also an annual event we do on Indonesia's National Day. It usually starts with all of us singing the National Anthem (Indonesia Raya), afterwards reciting the Pancasila, which is the Indonesian Pledge. This ceremony is important to all of us, as a school and also as individuals. The flag-raising ceremony promotes patriotism and nationalism. It strengthen our love for our country as we watch in pride as the Indonesian flag rises to the sky.

When we sing the song, we also truly feel like Indonesians, even if some of us aren't Indonesians.

During the flag raising ceremonies, the ones who carry out the whole process are students. We are the ones who start the ceremony, conduct the music and recite the Pancasila for the rest of the school to follow. It is a good thing for us to carry out the ceremony so that we can learn how important it is. Also, it also teaches us discipline and leadership.

Indonesia Raya


I


Indonesia tanah airku,
Tanah tumpah darahku,
Di sanalah aku berdiri,
Jadi pandu ibuku.


Indonesia kebangsaanku,
Bangsa dan tanah airku,
Marilah kita berseru,
Indonesia bersatu.


Hiduplah tanahku,
Hiduplah neg'riku,
Bangsaku, Rakyatku, semuanya,
Bangunlah jiwanya,
Bangunlah badannya,
Untuk Indonesia Raya.


Refrain :


Indonesia Raya,
Merdeka, merdeka,
Tanahku, neg'riku yang kucinta!
Indonesia Raya,
Merdeka, merdeka,
Hiduplah Indonesia Raya.


II


Indonesia, tanah yang mulia,
Tanah kita yang kaya,
Di sanalah aku berdiri,
Untuk s'lama-lamanya.


Indonesia, tanah pusaka,
P'saka kita semuanya,
Marilah kita mendoa,
Indonesia bahagia.


Suburlah tanahnya,
Suburlah jiwanya,
Bangsanya, Rakyatnya, semuanya,
Sadarlah hatinya,
Sadarlah budinya,
Untuk Indonesia Raya.


Refrain


III


Indonesia, tanah yang suci,
Tanah kita yang sakti,
Di sanalah aku berdiri,
N'jaga ibu sejati.


Indonesia, tanah berseri,
Tanah yang aku sayangi,
Marilah kita berjanji,
Indonesia abadi.


S'lamatlah rakyatnya,
S'lamatlah putranya,
Pulaunya, lautnya, semuanya,
Majulah Neg'rinya,
Majulah pandunya,
Untuk Indonesia Raya.


Refrain

Pancasila
1. Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa
2. Kemanusiaan yang adil dan beradab
3. Persatuan Indonesia
4. Kerakyatan yang dipimpin oleh hikmat kebijaksanaan dalam permusyawaratan dan perwakilan
5. Keadilan sosial bagi seluruh rakyat Indonesia

* Article written by Jennifer Wongsosaputro (Secondary 2 student)

* Text for Pancasila provided by Ms Lala Amalia (Bahasa Indonesia Teacher)

* Photography by Ms Chie