Bogor Palace a new sanctuary for President Jokowi

BOGOR. Although President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has declined to confirm whether he will be spending more time in Bogor, it appears certain now that he will run the government from Bogor Palace, a two-hour drive from the capital.

Since he took the oath of office in October last year, Jokowi has several times used Bogor Palace as a venue for meetings, particularly for a series of meetings with heads of local government. He has also several times commuted from Jakarta and Bogor to attend meetings.

The President has also reportedly added personal touches to the palace, including a new set of furniture.

There is, however, said to be confusion among palace staffers over the lack of confirmation as to whether Jokowi is to permanently reside there.

On Tuesday, for instance, after holding three meetings at Bogor Palace, Jokowi returned to Jakarta to hold a closed-door meeting with NasDem Party chairman Surya Paloh at the Presidential Palace.

Several of his ministers, however, said on Monday that it was easier to reach Bogor than to get around in Jakarta, where the severe congestion is notorious.

Culture and Elementary and Secondary Education Minister Anies Baswedan said recently that meeting with the President was always effective and efficient in Bogor.

“[Meetings in] both [places] are effective. [But] in Bogor, no air-conditioning is needed because the weather is cool,” he said.

“As for the location, since I’ve started coming to Bogor in the morning, the commute has been very easy,” he added.

Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said that Bogor Palace provided a convenient ambience, adding that she was equally happy in the Presidential Palace and Bogor Palace.

Meanwhile, PLN’s new president director Sofyan Basir, who on Monday was summoned to a meeting with Jokowi at Bogor Palace, said the atmosphere there “was very comfortable and relaxed”.

Sofyan also concurred with Anies, saying that the traffic on the way to Bogor was mild in the mornings.

Last week, Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto said Jokowi felt comfortable at Bogor Palace and that the President wanted a relaxed atmosphere for his meetings.

“Therefore, many of the President’s activities, particularly those involving a large number of participants, will be held at Bogor Palace,” Andi said. “So, almost every week, there will be at least one meeting held at Bogor Palace.”

The State Secretariat has also prepared everything should Jokowi decide to spend the night.

Although there was no certainty regarding Jokowi’s plan to remain in Bogor, the Bogor city administration is currently mulling a plan to establish a clockwise one-way traffic system around Bogor Palace and the Bogor Botanical Gardens to accommodate increased traffic around the palace.

Bogor Mayor Bima Arya Sugiarto said recently that he could not confirm when the one-way traffic system would be in place.

Bima said the State Secretariat had asked the Bogor administration to coordinate with relevant ministries regarding the plan.

Bima however expressed doubts that Jokowi would stay in Bogor.

Amid uncertainty over the fate of Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan — whose inauguration as National Police chief was postponed by Jokowi after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named him a graft suspect — some have speculated that Jokowi might try to distance himself from the political hustle and bustle of Jakarta.

Not everyone is happy with the plan. Vice President Jusuf Kalla said that he at times was tired by the commute. “It’s tough to travel 70 km for a meeting,” he complained. (Ina Parlina)