Gloria Natapradja Hamel, whose inauguration as a national flag-hoisting team (Paskibraka) member was cancelled due to citizenship issue, is set to participate in the flag-lowering ceremony at the State Palace on Wednesday afternoon.
loria Natapradja Hamel, whose inauguration as a national flag-hoisting team (Paskibraka) member was cancelled due to a citizenship issue, is set to participate in the flag-lowering ceremony at the State Palace on Wednesday afternoon.
Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nachrowi confirmed that the Indonesia-born and bred student from Depok, West Java, would join other Paskibraka members at the afternoon ceremony, following her meeting with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo after the 71st Independence Day ceremony.
“[She] will join with the flag-lowering ceremony in the evening," Imam said.
Gloria, who was born to an Indonesian mother and French father, could not hide her happiness, stressing that finally her struggle had yielded good results. In a last-ditch effort to keep her position in the elite flag-hoisting team, Gloria wrote a personal letter to Jokowi, declaring herself to be an Indonesian citizen.
"I will join my friends this afternoon," Gloria said, adding that during her meeting with the President, Jokowi had advised her to keep her spirits high. (ebf)
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