Jokowi hosts Aidilfitri gathering at palace for ministers, public
JAKARTA: President 'Jokowi' Widodo opened the doors of the State Palace on Wednesday to welcome government officials and the general public for a holiday gathering to celebrate the first day of Aidilfitri.

The holiday event comes as a respite in an otherwise hectic and controversial political year, including the ongoing electoral dispute at the Constitutional Court.

Following a Sidang Isbat (moonsighting confirmation hearing), the government announced on Tuesday (April 9) evening that the first day of the month of Syawal, which marks the first of the two-day Aidilfitri holiday, would fall on April 10.

Jokowi performed the Aidilfitri prayer at Istiqlal Mosque in the morning before he headed to the State Palace to welcome officials and members of the public.

Communications and Information Minister Budi Arie Setiadi, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno and National Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Budi Gunawan were among the visitors, according to Kompas.com. Defence Minister and president-elect Prabowo Subianto was said to have visited the State Palace much earlier, according to minister Budi Arie, Kompas.com reported. He was apparently accompanied by his only son Ragowo “Didit” Hediprasetyo and his adjutant.

Prabowo is expected to return directly to his residence on Jl. Kertanegara in South Jakarta and reportedly has no plans to host a public Aidilfitri gathering.

In Central Java, vice president-elect and Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Jokowi’s eldest son, is expected to host a gathering at his official residence before travelling to Jakarta later in the day to visit his father and Prabowo, Detik.com reported.

Meanwhile, losing presidential candidate Anies Baswedan is scheduled to host an Aidilfitri gathering with his supporters and the general public at his house in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta

As for losing candidate Ganjar Pranowo, he is also planning to host a gathering at his house in Sleman regency, Yogyakarta, where he reportedly moved just a few months ago. Former running mate Mahfud MD, who was spotted visiting Ganjar at his house on Wednesday, stressed the visit did not involve any discussions about politics, according to Kompas.com.

Anies and Ganjar have joined forces to challenge the election results at the Constitutional Court. On March 27, Anies and his legal team became the first to present the plaintiffs’ arguments to a panel of eight justices. The court is expected to read out its verdict in the electoral dispute on April 22, almost two weeks after Aidilfitri. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
Indonesia,Jokowi,Aidilfitri,public
JAKARTA: President 'Jokowi' Widodo opened the doors of the State Palace on Wednesday to welcome government officials and the general public for a holiday gathering to celebrate the first day of Aidilfitri.