Prabowo's Open House: Several Ministers and State Officials Enter the Palace
President Prabowo Subianto held an open house event in conjunction with the Eid al-Fitr halalbihalal for 1447 Hijriah at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Saturday (21/3) afternoon until evening.
After receiving and shaking hands directly with ordinary citizens who filled the Presidential Palace area in Jakarta, it was then the turn of national figures, state officials, and his cabinet aides to visit the palace on Saturday afternoon.
Based on observations from the live broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel, around 16:00 WIB, the state figures and their respective families entered the state palace area to engage in silaturahmi with Prabowo.
Several officials seen arriving with their families included Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Culture Minister Fadli Zon, and Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung.
Earlier, it began with the sounding of a fanfare trumpet around 15:00 WIB, as Prabowo, accompanied by his son Didit Hediprasetyo, entered the area.
Prabowo then greeted and shook hands with a number of citizens who had lined up neatly along the pathway.
In addition to shaking hands, many citizens also captured the moment of the handshake using their respective smartphones.
For information, since midday, around 12:00 WIB, a long queue was visible at the palace entrance gate via Jalan Majapahit. The scorching sun and hot air did not diminish the citizens’ enthusiasm to engage in silaturahmi with President Prabowo.
In the Presidential Secretariat’s live broadcast, it was stated that approximately 5,000 citizens came to the open house at the palace.
“The visit arrangements are carried out in turns so that the public can experience this fitri day comfortably,” as conveyed by the broadcaster on the Setpres YouTube channel.
Food and gift offerings for citizens
To manage the citizens attending the open house at the palace, they were divided into several route points to avoid overcrowding. Some of these were from the State Secretariat Ministry courtyard on the left wing of the palace complex and in the central courtyard of the State Palace.
In addition, citizens who came were given gifts from the palace side. Then, in the central courtyard, citizens could enjoy dishes served buffet-style by the palace.
It was also observed that there was live Islamic music entertainment played from a small stage.
Previously, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya explained that the open house event at the palace would run until the evening. The attending public, he said, would be served in turns.
There were additional facilities in the form of tents in the outdoor area to accommodate visitors if the indoor capacity was full.
Teddy stated that the event included preparations for various food offerings, including traditional Lebaran dishes such as ketupat. In addition, simple entertainment for children who came with their families was also prepared.
Prabowo previously spent the takbir night in the North Sumatra disaster area, then performed Eid al-Fitr prayers in Aceh Tamiang, Aceh, that morning.