Cabinet ministers busy during Idul Fitri
Cabinet ministers busy during Idul Fitri
JAKARTA (JP): Cabinet ministers celebrated their first Idul
Fitri since taking office with traditional open houses and
receptions.
On the first day of Idul Fitri on Saturday, most ministers
received visits from their staff, related organizations and the
public at their official or private residences.
Unlike the past, the routine event this time around looked
more simple and unrestricted for people from all walks of life
who wished to come and greet the ministers. The hosts served
their guests with seemingly unlimited food and beverages.
Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Gen.
Wiranto held the event at his official residence on Jl. Denpasar
Raya in South Jakarta until late in the afternoon, receiving
guests, either military or civilian.
The high-profile minister, who is currently under scrutiny for
his alleged connection to the East Timor mayhem, also welcomed
the media but politely refused hard-line questions.
Foreign minister Alwi Shihab held the event at his private
house in the South Jakarta suburb of Ciganjur. Access to his
residence was congested with cars belonging to well-wishers.
Former minister of foreign affairs, Ali Alatas was seen among
the guests, who included ambassadors of neighboring countries,
the ministry's officials and surrounding residents.
Attorney General Marzuki Darusman, along with his wife and
daughter, also received guests at his private residence in
Bintaro, South Jakarta.
State Minister of the Empowerment of Women Khofifah Indar
Parawansa held the event on the second day of Idul Fitri on
Sunday at her official residence at the ministerial complex on
Jl. Denpasar Raya.
From 11 a.m. the minister received guests from her office and
the National Family Planning Board, which is currently under her
auspices. Khofifah also received several activists of some women
organizations.
The director of the Indonesian Women for Justice, Nursyahbani
Katjasungkana, and several activists of the Indonesian Women's
congress were seen among the attendees.
Separately, Dili Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo conveyed
his Idul Fitri greeting to people in the predominantly Muslim
province of West Nusa Tenggara.
"From our heart, on behalf of the Catholic community in Dili
and my personal capacity, I would like to say happy Idul Fitri
and apologize for all of the wrongdoings I made in the past,"
Belo said in Dili on Saturday as quoted by Antara.
The bishop noted the good relationship between Muslims and
Catholics in East Timor should stay as it was proven during the
riots before, during and after the popular consultation on Aug.
30 last year. (04)