Gloria Natapradja Hamel Star of the Show at Sport Ministry Flag Raising Ceremony
Jakarta. Gloria Natapradja Hamel, a West Javan student dismissed from the national Independence Day flag-raising, or Paskibraka team last week, became a star at the sport and youth ministry where she served on Wednesday (17/08) to celebrate the country's 71st Independence Day.
Gloria, 16, attracted the attention of civil servants who wanted to see her in person after her dismissal for holding a French passport from Paskibraka made national headlines earlier this week.
Antara news agency reported some attendees had taken selfie photographs with the student.
Gloria, who had been named youth ambassador by the ministry, reportedly appeared calm and accommodated the requests.
She told the news agency that she was proud to be involved in the sports and youth ministry flag raising team.
"After this I am going to the Palace with the Minister," Gloria said after the event on Wednesday morning (17/08).
She said she received invitation to attend the flag raising ceremony, as a guest from the palace.
Gloria's dismissal turned viral yesterday with the local media highlighting her personal letter to President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.
In the letter, she said being a French passport holder was "never her choice" as she born to a French-national father, Diedier Hamel, and Indonesian mother Ira Natapraja.
"My blood and breath is for the BELOVED INDONESIA," she said.
Justice and Human Rights Minister Yasona Laoly said Gloria can apply for Indonesian citizenship when she turns 18.
Indonesia does not recognize dual citizenship and a passport holder from another country cannot be acknowledged as Indonesian citizen.
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