Lembata, August 18, 2024 – To commemorate the 79th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia, the residents of Wowong Village, Omesuri District, Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), for the first time, celebrated by unfurling a one-kilometer-long Indonesian flag on Saturday (August 17, 2024). The massive flag was stretched along the Nusantara Beach.

The Head of Wowong Village, Jubir Latif Leki, expressed the pride and enthusiasm of the villagers in celebrating the 79th Independence Day of Indonesia, as they had the opportunity to participate in the raising of a one-kilometer-long flag, marking a first in NTT.

"This is a source of pride for us in Wowong Village. The flag was unfurled along the Nusantara Beach, a newly established tourist spot. This event has certainly made the site more popular, drawing public attention and encouraging more tourists to visit," he said.

He added that the flag, measuring one kilometer in length and three meters in width, was made by the villagers of Wowong with support from PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero). The unfurling involved around 300 people. Additionally, residents from nearby villages also participated in the event.

"This event is supported by Pupuk Indonesia and the Bakti BUMN Volunteers. We plan to organize a similar event for next year's Independence Day, possibly extending the length of the flag each year, making this moment even more special," Leki stated.

Meanwhile, Senior Vice President of Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) at Pupuk Indonesia, Junianto Simare Mare, explained that the one-kilometer-long flag unfurling was part of a program initiated by Pupuk Indonesia in collaboration with the Bakti BUMN Volunteers Batch VI 2024. Besides fostering nationalism among the residents of Lembata, this iconic activity is expected to attract tourists to Wowong Village.

"Pupuk Indonesia has a social responsibility, and in its implementation, we not only focus on the development of communities near our company. We also aim to contribute to remote areas, especially in 3T (disadvantaged, frontier, and outermost) regions such as Wowong Village and Hadakewa Village in Lembata Regency, NTT," Junianto explained.

In addition to the flag ceremony, Pupuk Indonesia and the Bakti BUMN Volunteers also launched the Advanced Prosperous Farmers Program (Tajumase). This program is part of the company's contribution to improving the welfare of the people in Lembata. It started in early 2024 and is planned to continue for the next three years.

"Previously, Pupuk Indonesia has also conducted various activities in Lembata, such as demonstration plots for chili, tomato, cabbage, eggplant, and kangkung (water spinach). We have also provided seedling houses and established kiosks that will be managed by the local community. We are optimizing the agricultural sector to boost tourism in Lembata, thereby fostering economic independence among the local population," he concluded.