Yogyakarta Residents Enthusiastic About 'Bakdan' to Governor Sultan HB X
The DIY regional government held a silaturahmi gathering between the Governor and Deputy Governor of DIY and the public at the Kepatihan Complex in Yogyakarta City today. Residents flocked to the event from the morning, with queues already snaking long.
Observations by detikJogja around 8:30 AM local time showed that the queue of residents was already quite long. As the day progressed, the number of attendees continued to grow. Yet the event was only scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM.
Yuli, a resident of Gamping Sleman, said she had been queuing since around 8:15 AM. According to her, when she arrived, the queue was already long.
“This is the first time for me; last year I didn’t join, so this once-a-year opportunity. I can meet the Governor directly, but unfortunately no photos allowed,” she explained when met at the Kepatihan Complex on Monday (30/3/2026).
“I left home at 8:00 AM, but it was already full. At first I thought it was quiet, but once inside, it was crowded,” Yuli added.
Unlike Yuli who came alone, Rohayatun, a resident of Sewon Bantul, arrived at Kepatihan in a group with her village neighbours by chartering buses.
“We took three buses this morning. Each bus carried about 30 people. Around 90 people. Mostly housewives,” said Rohayatun.
“Hopefully we can meet (the Governor of DIY). I want to silaturahmi. Ngalap berkah (hoping for blessings),” she added.
Previously, the DIY regional government prepared a silaturahmi event between the Governor and Deputy Governor of DIY and the general public at the Kepatihan Complex in Yogyakarta City on Monday (30/3).
“The DIY regional government plans to hold an Eid al-Fitr silaturahmi, not an open house,” said Ditya Nanaryo Aji, Coordinator of Substance for the Public Relations Section of the Bureau of General Affairs, Public Relations, and Protocol of the DIY Secretariat, when met at the Kepatihan Complex on Friday (27/3).
This event is being held again after a similar silaturahmi with the Governor and Deputy Governor of DIY or an open house last year was cancelled due to budget efficiency. This year too, Ditya said, the silaturahmi differs from previous open house events, particularly regarding provisions for guests and the general public.
“Unlike previous years where we provided food in buffet form. This year we are holding it more simply, as per the leadership’s instructions,” Ditya explained.
In place of the buffet, the DIY regional government provided 70 carts featuring various culinary MSMEs from residents, such as angkringan stalls, soto, and others. All are available for free to be enjoyed by attendees.
“We return it from the people to the people by partnering with MSMEs. The spirit is silaturahmi with simplicity, and the hope is that the economy keeps circulating,” Ditya clarified.
This silaturahmi is open to invitees and the general public, not just Yogyakarta city residents. However, there is a time restriction. The silaturahmi will open at 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM, after which it will close and only process the existing queue inside.
“Because usually the queue is long from the morning. We finish those who want to shake hands with him. It’s more budget-efficient and reaches more people,” Ditya said.
As in previous years, the public is only permitted to shake hands with the Governor and Deputy Governor of DIY without long conversations or selfies. This is done to avoid prolonging the queue. Attendees are also required to wear neat, polite clothing and are prohibited from wearing flip-flops. For residents with disabilities, special facilities and priority access will be provided.
“As in previous years, the format is just handshakes. Later it will include the Governor, GKR Hemas, the Deputy Governor, and Gusti Putri,” Ditya said.
“For photos, as in previous years, there will be a team from the regional government’s public relations who will take the photos. The results will be shared with the public via a link for download. Because of the long queue, no long chats, just greetings,” he concluded.