Moment When Prabowo Unexpectedly Visits Residents' Settlement on the Southern Banks of Senen, Locals Excited

The presence of President Prabowo Subianto, who directly inspected a densely populated settlement along the Senen railway banks in Jakarta on Thursday afternoon, surprised residents as it was unannounced beforehand. According to an official statement from the Government Communication Agency in Jakarta on Thursday, upon arriving at the location, the President stepped out of his vehicle and greeted the community. Residents from various backgrounds appeared enthusiastic, approaching to shake hands and directly convey their aspirations. One resident, Nur Hanifah, admitted to being moved by the opportunity to meet the President in person. She said she had left her cooking activity at home after learning of the Head of State’s arrival. “I was cooking in the kitchen, so I rushed out—there’s the President, the President. Wow, my father, handsome father; when I came out, I kissed his hand,” she recounted. During the occasion, Nur Hanifah also expressed her hope to the President that government assistance would continue. Similar sentiments were shared by another resident, Yana, who hoped that social assistance programmes like the Family Hope Programme (PKH) would persist, along with support for children such as the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. “MBG—basically, so that schoolchildren can keep going like this, because most people here are below the poverty line. Let it continue; even as a housewife, it’s for the schoolchildren,” said Yana. A touching story also came from Wawan, a clown busker, who admitted he could hardly hold back his emotions upon seeing the President’s arrival in his neighbourhood. “I’m touched, almost cried when I heard. This is the first time someone’s come here; it feels something, happy in my heart,” Wawan said. Meanwhile, Cono, a scavenger and resident of the area, claimed to have spoken directly with the President. He recalled the moment as spontaneous and unexpected. To the President, Cono also conveyed his hopes regarding the limited housing he and the surrounding residents faced. “Mr Prabowo said, ‘Would you like us to build a high-rise house?’ I said yes, sir, because I don’t have much living space. That’s how it is here,” he said.