PRESIDENT Joko Widodo (Jokowi) arrived at the Gedung Agung Presidential Palace, Yogyakarta City, on Saturday afternoon, to spend the end of the holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr in the city located in Central Java.
Jokowi, seated in a black Toyota Alphard, entered the Agung Building complex at around 1 p.m. local time.
Before entering the gates of Gedung Agung, he waved out from inside the car to the crowds that welcomed his arrival. Meanwhile, police officers and several military personnel were seen on standby to maintain security in front of the gates of the palace located in the Jalan Malioboro area.
Nur Hasanah, 53, a tourist from Cilegon, expressed enthusiasm on welcoming President Jokowi. She was eager to halt her tour agenda along Jalan Malioboro to capture the moment.
Hasanah said this was the first time she had seen the president in person, although it was only from a distance.
“It is nice to see Pak Jokowi. I could see him from the window. I want to be able to shake hands with Pak Jokowi,” she remarked.
Earlier, after reviewing the Formula E Circuit in Ancol, North Jakarta, on Monday (Apr 25), President Joko Widodo said he would go home and perform Eid prayers in the Special Region of Yogyakarta.
Although he could not confirm how long he would be in Yogyakarta, the president said that the palace would not hold any halal-bihalal (open house) activities.
“When I go home, it is in Solo, Central Java. However, I do not go to Solo. I will go to Yogyakarta. Insyaallah (God willing), yes, it is for (Eid al-Fitr prayers),” Jokowi stated. [antaranews]