Singaporean Ambassador to Indonesia Ashok Mirpuri (left) cuts a cake with Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo A.S. during a reception on Tuesday night to celebrate Singapore's 43rd National Day in the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Mulia in Senayan, Jakarta.

Singapore's national day falls on Aug. 9. Singapore was occupied by the Japanese during World War II and reverted to British rule immediately after the war in 1945.

Eighteen years later, after having achieved independence, it merged with Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak to form Malaysia. It seceded from the federation less than two years later and became an independent republic on Aug. 9, 1965.

In attendance at Tuesday's ceremony were, among others, the Foreign Ministry's Director General for ASEAN Dian Triansyah Djani, Director General for Asia-Pacific and African Affairs Primo Alui Joelianto, Director General for Multilateral Affairs Rezlan Ishar Jenie and Director General for Protocol and Consular Affairs Lutfi Rauf.

Other notables included businessmen Arifin Panigoro and Sofjan Wanandi, and a number of Indonesian dignitaries as well as foreign diplomats.

The night's theme was "Night Race", in connection with the city-state's hosting of the Singapore Grand Prix, a Formula One race, which will be staged on September 28.

"So I invite you all to come to Singapore for that event," said Mirpuri.

The event will also be Formula One's first ever night race.

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