Getting To Know Paskibra History: The Beginning Of Forming And The Creation Of Formation 17-8-9

The atmosphere of the 2021 National Paskibraka inauguration (Presidential Secretariat Youtube)

YOGYAKARTA - The Pusaka Flag Raising Troops or more popularly called Paskibra are often highlighted at the commemoration of Indonesia's Independence Day. Paskibraka is a group of troops or people tasked with raising the red and white flag on 17 August. Paskibra history has a very long certia.

Paskibra is one of the tasks that many high school / vocational students dream of in Indonesia. Paskibraka has members consisting of 68 people. These members are divided into three groups, namely Group 17, Group 8, and Group 45.

However, not everyone can be elected as a member of Paskibraka. The selection of Paskibraka members is carried out strictly and in stages from the school level to the national level. Behind that, how is the history of Paskibraka when it was first formed in Indonesia?

History of the Formation of Paskibraka in Indonesia

The formation of Paskibraka was first carried out by Major Husein Mutahar ahead of the commemoration of the 2nd Indonesian Independence Day on August 17, 1945. At that time Major Husein served as an aide to President Soekarno.

Major Husein Mutahar was assigned to prepare for the flag ceremony which was held at the Presidential Palace, Gedung Agung, in Yogyakarta. He then appointed five youths, consisting of three women and two men, to carry out the raising of the red and white flag.

Initially, this flag-raising troop was called the Heritage Flag Raising Troop. However, in 1973 the name was changed to Paskibraka (Heirloom Flag Raising Troops). The name Paskibraka was proposed by Idik Sulaeman, a Mutahar Confidant.

The name Paskibraka voters themselves are an acronym or abbreviation of the Pusaka Flag Raising Troops. The word 'pas' is taken from the word troop. The word 'kibra' is taken from the word flag raiser. The word 'ka' is taken from the word heirloom.

The Creation of the 17-8-45 Formation in Paskibraka

The history of the Paskibraka formation was created at the beginning of the reign of President Soeharto. In 1948, Major Husein Mutahar was no longer in charge of raising the Heritage Flag.

However, Major Husein was recalled by Suharto to serve as Director General of Youth and Scout Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Culture. He was asked to re-handle the issue of raising the Heritage Flag.

Paskibra has a special formation in carrying out the task of raising the heritage flag. Formation in the form of a row and the order in the row does not form by itself. The formation was formed for a specific purpose and task.

The formation in Paskibraka is 17-8-45. The figure is taken from the time or date of Indonesian independence. This formation was formulated by Major Husein Mutahar and Idil Sulaeman. They were asked by President Suharto in 1967 to prepare for the Indonesian Independence Day flag ceremony.

Formation 17-8-45 is divided into three groups that have their respective tasks. The first is Group 17, which is tasked with being a guide or accompanist. The second group of 8, which is in charge of being the core group of flag bearers. The third is a group of 45, which is tasked with being a flag-raising guard.

Rules About Paskibraka

The rules regarding the formation of Paskibraka are contained in the Regulation of the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia Number 14 of 2017 which regulates the Amendment to the Regulation of the Minister of Youth and Sports Number 0065 of 2015 concerning the Implementation of Heritage Flag-raising Activities.

The regulation states that the birth of Paskibraka coincided with the moment of the Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia which was first proclaimed at Jalan Pegangsaan Timur Number 56, Jakarta, on Friday, August 17, 1945, at 10:00 WIB.

Such is the history of Paskibraka who was in charge of flying the red and white flag in commemoration of Indonesian Independence. Paskibraka members are not only tasked with raising. But they are also obliged to instill national values, love the homeland, and are willing to sacrifice for the sake of the nation and state.

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