The ceremony starts as the tri-services and police Guard of honour enters the palace forecourt at about 9.30 AM. As the President and Vice President enters the palace, the Ceremony Commander presents a general salute to the President which is then followed by the remembrance of the proclamation of independence precisely at 10.00 AM accompanied by a 17-gun salute fired from the National Monument (Monas) by the Indonesian Army 7th Field Artillery Battalion. Then, it is followed by the reading of the proclamation of Independence by the Head of the People's Representative Council, a moment of silence known as "Mengheningkan Cipta" to remember those who have fallen in duty and then followed by a national prayer read by the Minister of Religious Affairs.&lt;br&gt;