JAYAPURA, Papua: Dozens of military and police personnel lined up neatlyswerteplay, lifting a 1km-long red-white Indonesian national flag above their heads at the border post between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea in Jayapura city.

The scorching sun and 31 degrees Celsius heat were not an issue for them. 

After all, it was a special day - Indonesia’s Independence Day which falls on Aug 17 - and they wanted to raise the national flag as high as possible to display their national pride. 

It was their moment to celebrate Indonesia’s sovereignty and 79 years of freedom while doing their job of securing and protecting the countryswerteplay, whose borders are prone to transnational crimes such as drug and firearms smuggling. 

Military and police officers holding the Indonesian national flag at the border between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea on Aug 17, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Kiki Siregar)

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