Agus, Annisa exchange wedding vows

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bogor

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's firstborn son, First Lt. Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, 27, exchanged vows with TV host Annisa Larasati Pohan, 24, at 2:20 p.m. on Friday, without his parents at the ceremony.

"The President and First Lady Kristiani Herawati are not attending the ceremony. This is because of the Javanese tradition that disallows them from attending to indicate that they sincerely accept their son's decision," said presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng.

To accompany his son, the President appointed his brother-in- law Maj. Gen. Erwin Soedjono, an officer in the Army's Strategic Reserves Command, to represent him. Vice President Jusuf Kalla acted as a witness.

The groom and entourage left for the home of the bride -- who is the daughter of former Bank Indonesia deputy governor Aulia Pohan -- from the State Palace in a bulletproof limousine, which is usually used by the President when he travels to the House of Representatives to read his address to the nation and for visiting foreign heads of state.

"It is the groom's right to use the limo because he is a member of the President's family, and, based on regulations, should be accorded VVIP security and facilities," said Andi.

In Friday's ceremony, the groom presented as a dowry a Muslim prayer outfit and Rp 872,005, the numbers of which represent the wedding date.

The reception will be held on Saturday evening in Bogor Palace, which abuts the Bogor Botanical Gardens, which has been guarded by at least eight military tanks since Friday.

Bogor authorities will close part of the access to the venue and redirect traffic from 12 p.m. Saturday. The reception will start at 6:30 p.m.

At least 700 police officers will be deployed to direct traffic and to guard the venue.