ULM Unfurls Giant Red and White Flag at Sultan Adam Forest Park, a Symbol of Unity and Nationalism
Martapura – To commemorate the 80th anniversary of Indonesian Independence Day, Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) of South Kalimantan held a ceremony to raise and unfurl a giant Red and White Flag at the summit of Bukit Besar in Sultan Adam Forest Park (Tahura), Karang Intan District, Banjar Regency, on Sunday morning (August 17, 2025).
The 15 x 10 meter flag was unfurled by dozens of students from various student organizations, including the Student Executive Board (BEM), the Nature Lovers Student Association (Mapala), and the Scouts student unit within ULM.
The event began with a flag-raising ceremony and the reading of the proclamation, followed by the unfurling of the flag on the ridge. The students climbed the hill while singing independence songs until the flag was fully unfurled, creating a moment filled with emotion and pride.
ULM Vice Rector III, Muhammad Rusmin Nuryadin, who served as the ceremony instructor, emphasized that this activity was a reflection of independence and an effort to strengthen the spirit of nationalism among students.
“We are striving to unite all elements of the ULM student body. Hopefully, through this flag-raising and unfurling, a stronger spirit of unity will emerge in Indonesia,” he said.
Rusmin added that ULM’s presence at this historic event is a clear symbol that universities have a moral responsibility to instill national values in the younger generation.
The flag-raising location is also within a Special Purpose Forest Area (KHDTK). The Head of KHDTK, Dr. Ir. H. Muhammad Helmy, and the Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, Prof. Dr. H. Kissinger, S.Hut, M.Si., IPU, were also present.
The Head of the ULM FISIP Student Executive Board, Restu Rido Pratama, called the unfurling of the giant flag in the Meratus Mountains a breakthrough.
“This is not just a ceremony, but a symbol of our love for our homeland. Hopefully, this activity will continue to become an annual tradition at ULM,” he said.
Besides commemorating 80 years of independence, this activity also serves as tangible evidence of ULM’s contribution to maintaining the values of national unity. Involving students from various organizations, ULM hopes that similar activities can become an annual tradition to strengthen national character and foster a sense of patriotism among the younger generation.
“Through this activity, students can better appreciate the struggles of our heroes and develop a strong spirit of nationalism,” concluded Dr. Rusmin.
