In celebration of Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day (HUT RI), communities across the country are coming together to mark the occasion with enthusiasm and pride.
One such celebration took place at SD Negeri 009 Batu Aji in Batam City on Saturday, August 16th. The school organized a series of competitions and activities, but what made the event truly special was the presence of an honored guest from Australia.
That guest was Ratu Wangsa, a visionary woman known for inspiring the Indonesian archipelago. Although she now holds Australian citizenship, Ratu Wangsa has never forgotten her cultural heritage, being of noble Malay-Malaccan descent and part Dutch-European.
In her speech, Ratu Wangsa expressed heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome she received. She extended appreciation to the school principal, teachers, and students for their enthusiastic reception.
“Thank you for inviting me here. I came all the way from Australia out of love for Indonesia—especially for SD Negeri 009 Batu Aji,” said Ratu Wangsa, her smile never fading as she warmly embraced the children, offering each one affectionate greetings and heartfelt eye contact.
What made the moment even more memorable was the children’s genuine excitement. Some were so eager to receive an autograph from Ratu Wangsa that they tore out pages from their own notebooks just to get a signature.
This wasn’t chaos—it was a touching display of admiration and sincere affection for Ratu Wangsa. The scene stood as a powerful reminder of the positive impact and inspiration she brings to the younger generation.
The principal of SD Negeri 009 Batu Aji, Mr. Suparjo, also expressed his deep appreciation for her presence.
“Praise be to God (Alhamdulillah), this has been a truly special moment for us this year. For the first time in our school’s history, we welcomed Ratu Wangsa to help us celebrate Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day. May God bless her with a long life and good health,” he concluded./Red.
