A Woman Suspected of Mental Illness Causes a Stir at the Independence Day Ceremony, Nearly Approaching Lucky Hakim

Kapanlagi.com - Lucky Hakim, the Regent of Indramayu, attended the 81st anniversary ceremony of the Republic of Indonesia in Alun-alun Indramayu on Monday (17/8/2026). The flag-raising ceremony was briefly interrupted by an unexpected incident when a woman stormed onto the field and moved toward the honor podium.

The incident occurred while the ceremony participants and the public were focused on the raising of the Red and White flag. Security personnel on the field quickly intervened, blocking and securing the woman before she could approach the rows of invited guests and the Forkopimda ranks.

"During the flag-raising ceremony, suddenly a woman ran into the middle, hysterically screaming, I don’t know what her intention was, I’m not sure where she came from, because the field is open to the public and there were many spectators around the square, all participants seemed to be focused on watching the flagpole," said Lucky Hakim when contacted by the media on Monday (17/8/2026).

1. Security at the Field

The security team promptly managed the woman who entered the ceremony (credit: Personal Document)

The woman emerged from the side of the field and ran to the center as the public's attention was focused on the flagpole. The situation briefly caused panic around the location.

Joint officers from the military, police, and public order agency quickly restrained the woman, directing her to the back of the field for safety. The swift movement of security prevented the woman from reaching the area of the honor podium.

Lucky Hakim, who stood with the Forkopimda ranks, remained in a position of respect during the flag raising. “Yes, she was secured towards the back, I couldn’t see because I was in a position of respect for the flag, along with the police chief and military commander, she was probably secured,” he stated.

2. Lucky Hakim's Stance on the Handling

Lucky Hakim at the commemoration ceremony of the 81st Indonesian Independence Day at the Indramayu Square (Credit: Personal Doc)

After the ceremony, Lucky received information that the woman who was secured was suspected of having a mental disorder. He mentioned that the woman was then taken to Indramayu Regional Hospital for further treatment.

Lucky responded to the situation calmly. He emphasized the importance of a humane approach as long as the woman did not pose a danger to others at the ceremony location.

“I asked a bit, after the event, they said ODGJ (people with mental disorders), I don’t really understand, but surely she was handled humanely, whether she is ODGJ or not, as long as she does not pose a danger, we should treat her well and appropriately, unless she is carrying a sharp weapon and might attack, then it would be processed further, this is just like a unique surprise hehehe,” he explained.

3. Chairs and Tents Abolished at the Ceremony

Aside from the incident in the field, the 81st Indonesian Independence Day ceremony in Indramayu also drew attention due to the policy of not providing chairs and tents for officials and invited guests. Officials, members of the local parliament, and guests stood together with participants and the public under the scorching sun throughout the ceremony.

Lucky expressed his apologies to the guests for the absence of such facilities. He stated that this policy was intentionally implemented so that everyone could feel the same atmosphere as the participants and the surrounding community.

“I apologize to the members of the Council, the local parliament, to the officials, the dignitaries, the elites, and also to the honorable guests, I did not provide chairs, instead, I invited everyone to stand together for two hours in the field, without refreshments, cold drinks, fruits, snacks, I apologize for not providing tents, instead, I made all the honorable guests feel the heat without AC and without tents, together with us, the ceremony participants, the people watching, the traders, the media covering, the guards, everyone feels the pleasure of this healthy sunlight, we absorb the divine gift of the sunlight that provides vitamin D,” he explained.

He hopes that the experience of standing and sweating together with the community will serve as a reminder when policymakers work in air-conditioned rooms. According to him, many citizens have to earn a living under the scorching sun every day.

“So when we make important decisions for the people of Indramayu in air-conditioned rooms, sitting in comfortable chairs with delicious snacks, we will remember this August ceremony moment that outside, the community is also tired of standing, with stomachs that are sometimes still hungry but have to work under the scorching sun,” he concluded.

(kpl/gtr)