August 15, 2026 | 01:52 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Social media users across Facebook [archive], Instagram, and Threads shared posts claiming that the Red and White national flag at the National Monument (Monas) tore ahead of Indonesia's 81st Independence Day. The footage shows a massive flag hoisted on a Monas flagpole suddenly splitting in two. The red portion was blown away by the wind and fell to the ground, while the white portion remained attached to the rope.
Is it true that the Red and White flag at Monas was torn in two ahead of Indonesia's 81st Independence Day?
FACT CHECK
Tempo verified the content using Google reverse image search and compared it with reports from credible sources. The verification showed that the flag-splitting incident at Monas occurred in 2025, not 2026.
Tempo reported that the incident occurred when the Indonesian flag was raised during a dress rehearsal on Thursday, October 2, 2025. Strong winds tore the fabric. Several national media outlets also broadcast the event on their YouTube channels, including CNN Indonesia, METRO TV, Kompas.com, Warta Kota Production, and Tribun Sumsel. Following the incident, video footage went viral across social media platforms.
The then-Head of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Information Center, Brigadier General (Marine) Freddy Ardianzah, stated that the Indonesian flag was raised again during a subsequent dress rehearsal on Friday, October 3, 2025. The flag flew without disruption despite persistent strong winds. The TNI later adjusted the material used for the flag.
CONCLUSION
The claim that the Indonesian flag split in two at Monas ahead of the 81st Indonesian Independence Day is misleading. The incident took place in October 2025, not ahead of the 81st Independence Day celebrations in 2026.
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