Merdeka Run Successfully Held, State Secretary Urges Public to Avoid Being a Lazy Generation

State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi (center) and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya (right) perform the flag-off during the opening of the Merdeka Run 8.0K race in front of the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Sunday (August 24, 2025). (ANTARA/Genta Tenri Mawangi)

JAKARTA - Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Chair of the Committee for the 80th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence, when met after running in the Merdeka Run 8.0K event, urged the public to avoid becoming a lazy generation.

Pras, as he is popularly known, explained that the Merdeka Run 8.0K race was specifically held by the Indonesian Presidential Palace in commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence, as one of its goals is to support the campaign for a healthy lifestyle through exercise.

"This year's Independence Day commemoration is quite comprehensive, yes. There's the Commemoration of the Proclamation of Independence, filled with sacredness and solemnity, and then there's the evening carnival. Finally, we close with exercise, men sana in corpore sano. Everyone must be healthy. So, let's not become a lazy generation. Walking is fine, what's important is enthusiasm and the determination to not be lazy. Independence! Independence!" Pras said in response to reporters' questions, as quoted by Antara.

The State Secretary, who is also the Indonesian Presidential Spokesperson, stated that President Prabowo Subianto directly monitored the Merdeka Run 8.0K event, which was the final event in the series of celebrations for the 80th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence held by the Indonesian Presidential Palace.

"No, no (the President was not present, ed.), but he monitored it," said Pras.

On the same occasion, Pras, representing the entire committee, expressed his gratitude to the more than 8,000 Merdeka Run 8.0K participants who enthusiastically ran together from the starting line in front of the Merdeka Palace to the finish line at the same point in front of the Merdeka Palace on Medan Merdeka Utara Street, Central Jakarta, on Sunday morning.

"Of course, on behalf of the committee, and on behalf of our fellow committee members, we would like to once again express our gratitude for the extraordinary public participation in all the events commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia's Independence. Today, we are celebrating one of the culminations of our sporting celebrations," said Prasetyo Hadi.

A total of 8,000 participants ran in two categories: 8 kilometers and 4.5 kilometers, along a route from Medan Merdeka Utara Street, then to Medan Merdeka Barat Street, Thamrin Street, Jenderal Sudirman Street, and then back to Medan Merdeka Utara Street. Members of the Red and White Cabinet also ran alongside the community.

The ministers and deputy ministers included Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Taufik Hidayat, and Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Arya Bima Sugiarto. Also present were National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo and media figure Najwa Shihab.

Furthermore, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, who sent off the runners in a flag-off ceremony, also ran. Cabinet Secretary Teddy ran with his group of graduates from the 2011 Magelang Military Academy, "Pandurilastaka." After the run, Cabinet Secretary Teddy proceeded to the refreshment area at the National Monument (Monas) and presented prizes to the first runners to cross the finish line in each category.