JAYAPURA — Papua Governor Matius D. Fakhiri, or MDF, officially closed the 2026 Provincial Flag-Raising Troop education and training program in Jayapura City on Wednesday (August 19, 2026).

On the occasion, Fakhiri praised the resilience of the Flag-Raising Troop members, who completed the entire training program and carried out their duties during the ceremony commemorating the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia on August 17, 2026.

“I have seen it since yesterday, starting from the inauguration on the 16th, the ceremony, and I received reports that from the training period through staying at the hotel, there were challenges, but you are resilient young men and women,” Fakhiri said.

Fakhiri said the Flag-Raising Troop members were able to carry out their duties despite facing various challenges during the training camp. Some participants even experienced health issues.

“You deserve a round of applause. If all generations of Papua are like this, surely we will produce strong future leaders who will build Papua,” he said.

According to Fakhiri, the Flag-Raising Troop education and training program is not merely about preparing a flag-raising team, but also serves as a process for shaping the character of the younger generation.

The participants were equipped with values of discipline, loyalty, leadership, teamwork, national awareness, the values of Pancasila, as well as the importance of maintaining national unity and solidarity.

“You are role models for the young generation of Papua. Make the experience you gained during this education and training a valuable foundation for your lives,” he stressed.

Fakhiri also reminded the Flag-Raising Troop members to continue upholding integrity, brotherhood, peace, and love for their homeland.

“Your duties may end today, but your service to Papua and Indonesia will never end,” he emphasized.

The closing ceremony was also marked by the presentation of educational assistance from the Governor of Papua, consisting of Rp5 million in financial support and one laptop for each Flag-Raising Troop member.

Fakhiri emphasized that developing the younger generation is an important part of realizing the Papua Cerah vision, namely a Papua that is intelligent, prosperous, and harmonious. ***