Residents Begin Queuing to Enter Palace Open House Event

Jakarta (ANTARA) - A number of residents began arriving at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Saturday to participate in the open house event as part of the halal bihalal for the celebration of Eid al-Fitr 1447 H. According to ANTARA, at 12:08, a long queue was visible at the palace entrance gate via Jalan Majapahit. The scorching sun and hot air did not diminish the residents’ enthusiasm to exchange greetings with President Prabowo Subianto. Several officers were seen on duty at various points to manage the queue. The officers also distributed mineral water to the residents to keep them hydrated. Additionally, the officers conducted checks to ensure no one fainted. Residents with disabilities were given priority access to enter the Presidential Palace complex earlier. They were also provided with a special waiting area. Residents entering the Presidential Palace complex were divided into several batches. Each batch consisted of 400 people to facilitate easier management of the entry flow. The residents were also given identification tags that could serve as souvenirs. The greeting event is scheduled to take place at 1:00 PM WIB. “At the palace, in the afternoon, we are preparing the halal bihalal, greetings for all members of the public who wish to visit,” said Teddy in Medan, North Sumatra, on Friday (20/3). Teddy explained that the event is planned to run from afternoon to evening with a capacity of around 5,000 people. The attending public, he said, will be served in turns. Additional facilities in the form of tents in the outer area were provided to accommodate visitors if the indoor capacity is full. Teddy stated that the event will feature various food offerings, including typical Lebaran dishes such as ketupat. Simple entertainment for children accompanying their families is also prepared.