Accompanied by Titiek Soeharto, Students with Disabilities Beam Upon Entering Yogyakarta Presidential Palace

Around 100 students and their chaperones from special schools (SLB) in the Yogyakarta area seized a rare opportunity to enter the Yogyakarta Presidential Palace, also known as Gedung Agung, on Wednesday, 12 August 2026. They beamed with joy at being able to enter the magnificent complex, especially as they had the chance to take photographs with several dignitaries while touring the museum to enjoy its legendary collections. The group was specially prepared by the ‘Suara Inklusi untuk Semua’ committee from the Diwa Foundation to enter Gedung Agung as part of the ‘Istana Untuk Rakyat’ (Istura) programme. They expressed enthusiasm about being present at the grand building located on Malioboro Street, in the heart of Yogyakarta. The students with disabilities took a group photo in the main building of the Presidential Palace alongside Chair of Commission IV of the House of Representatives Siti Hediati Hariyadi (Titiek Soeharto), Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Muti, Vice Governor Paku Alam X, Head of the Yogyakarta Presidential Palace Deni Mulyana, Senator Daud Yordan, members of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum, and mayors and regents from across the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Dilan, a 16-year-old student from SLB Pembina Yogyakarta, shared his experience with the media. ‘I am very happy. This is my first time entering the Yogyakarta Presidential Palace. If I am invited to enter the palace again, I will definitely join!’ said the student with intellectual disabilities, smiling. Nurkhasanah, Chair of the Yogyakarta Special Region School Principals’ Working Group, expressed her admiration. She appreciated Gedung Agung and the Diwa Foundation as the initiators for this historic event. She highly commended the Diwa Foundation for involving children with disabilities, as they have the right to experience entering Gedung Agung. ‘The hope is that the Diwa Foundation can collaborate on other activities, specifically aimed at uplifting children with disabilities, so that their work can be seen and utilised by the community,’ she added. According to the Chair of the 2026 Suara Inklusi untuk Semua Committee, Diah Warih Anjari, the presence of students with disabilities representing areas in Yogyakarta was historic, especially as they were accompanied by important figures and central and regional government officials, as well as military and police personnel. Gedung Agung provided special attention to these students with disabilities, giving them the opportunity to enter the palace and see its condition up close.