People flock as high-ranking officials open their doors at 'Lebaran'

Fabiola Desy Undjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Continuing a custom introduced by Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid when he was head of state, President Megawati Soekarnoputri allocated two hours on Sunday to receive greetings from members of the public at the State Palace.

One major difference between Megawati and Gus Dur was that Megawati, who was wearing a blue outfit, received more high- ranking officials and less common people than Gus Dur did.

Almost immediately after the Idul Fitri prayer at Istiqlal Grand Mosque on Sunday morning, the State Palace was crowded with ministers, legislators and former officials as well as diplomats wishing to greet Megawati and husband Taufik Kiemas.

A few controversial figures such as House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung, former military chief Gen. (ret) Wiranto, former Army chief of staff Gen. Tyasno Sudarto and former Army Special Force (Kopassus) commander Lt.Gen. (ret). Prabowo Subianto were among those seen at the State Palace entrance.

One of former president Sukarno's wives, Hartini, Megawati's stepmother, was also among the guests. Immediately after she showed up at the presidential compound, presidential security guards whisked her into the State Palace to meet the President.

However, none of former presidents or vice presidents arrived to greet the first family. People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais was also absent.

Many people who were officials during Gus Dur's short-lived presidential stint such as former minister of foreign affairs Alwi Shihab, former minister of trade Luhut Panjaitan and former National Police chief Gen. (ret) Rusdihardjo also turned up to greet Megawati and her family.

Presidential security guard commanders during Gur Dur's tenure were also there to meet Megawati.

Later in the afternoon, thousands of people from all walks of life gathered in front of the palace, waiting for the gates to open. Many waited for almost two hours before the open house was scheduled to start.

Jakarta Bishop Cardinal Julius Darmoatmojo and several Catholic nuns were among those lined up at the gates waiting to be allowed in to greet the President.

There was a slight hiccup when security guards initially prevented people wearing casual footwear, such as thongs, from entering the palace, but after brief negotiations, the guards, with a stern look on their faces, admitted the people.

The usually quiet grounds turned into a hive of activity, with visitors taking pictures and eating cakes provided by palace staff in small boxes.

Some people, such as famous singer Titiek Puspa chose to leave the palace before meeting the President due to the long queue.

There was a more relaxed atmosphere at Vice President Hamzah Haz's official residence on Jl. Diponegoro. Many people wearing thongs greeted Hamzah and ate ketupat, the traditional food during Idul Fitri, inside the newly renovated mansion.

Dozens of orphans also packed the official vice presidential residence, happily consuming cake and other food served for them.

Hamzah and his first wife Ismaniah appeared relaxed and happy, despite having to stand for almost four hours during the event.

Later in the afternoon, Hamzah held a similar function at Bogor presidential palace. Accompanied by his second wife Titin Kartini, Hamzah welcomed hundreds of people wishing to greet the family.

Cabinet ministers also had open houses at their homes on the first day of Idul Fitri post fasting festivities. The ministerial housing complex on Jl. Denpasar Raya and Jl. Widya Chandra was crowded with cars throughout the day on Sunday.