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

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.