Impressions of Residents Entering the Presidential Palace to Join Prabowo's Open House
A number of residents filled the designated area for the open house event as part of the halalbihalal during the Idulfitri 1447 H celebrations at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Saturday afternoon (21/3).
Since noon, around 12:00 WIB, long queues were visible at the palace entrance gate via Jalan Majapahit. The scorching sun and hot weather did not dampen the residents’ enthusiasm to reconnect with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
Two among them were Nina and Samuel Salomo.
Nina, who hails from Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra), and now lives in Mampang Prapatan, South Jakarta, said, “I am very happy to be able to celebrate Lebaran again at the state palace,” she stated, quoted from the live broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel. “I am very pleased; my intention was indeed to come for Lebaran here.”
At the same time, she recounted her experience meeting other residents on public transport Transjakarta who shared the same intention to reconnect with Prabowo.
“I am so happy to meet face-to-face; when else would we get to meet again,” said Nina.
Samuel, a Batak resident living in Pulogadung, East Jakarta, echoed similar sentiments. Samuel added that he was pleased to “shake hands with President Prabowo.”
In the Presidential Secretariat’s live broadcast, it was reported that approximately 5,000 residents attended the open house at the palace.
“The visit arrangements are carried out in rotations so that the public can experience this blessed day comfortably,” stated the broadcaster on the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel.
Food servings and gifts for residents
To manage the residents attending the open house at the palace, they were divided into several routes to avoid overcrowding. Some entered from the courtyard of the State Secretariat Ministry on the left wing of the palace complex, and from the central courtyard of the State Palace.
In addition, gifts were distributed to the arriving residents by the palace authorities. Then, in the central courtyard, residents could enjoy the dishes served by the palace.
Islamic music entertainment was also observed being performed live from a small stage.
Previously, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya explained that the open house event at the palace would continue until the evening. The attending public, he said, would be served in turns.
Additional facilities in the form of tents were provided in the outdoor area to accommodate visitors if the indoor capacity was full.
Teddy stated that the event included preparations of various food servings, including traditional Lebaran dishes like ketupat. Simple entertainment for children accompanying their families was also arranged.