Jokowi mingles with royalty

JAKARTA. Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo met with royal representatives from across the nation and foreign countries as he opened the World Royal Heritage Festival at the Borobudur Hotel in Central Jakarta.

Royal representatives from across the country as well as from Japan, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, the UK, Portugal, South Africa, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines, gathered at the opening ceremony and introduced themselves to the forum.

Jokowi, wearing traditional Betawi attire, banged the gavel, marking the beginning of the festival, dubbed the first of its kind.

Jokowi was joined by the Archipelago Keraton Forum (FSKN) deputy chairman KPH Haryo Adipati Joyonagoro, and representatives of the Kutai Kertanegara kingdom and Danish kingdom.

“In the name of God, I officially open the World Royal Heritage Forum,” Jokowi said.

He later personally greeted the regal representatives, with some of them keen to take a picture with Jokowi.

Papuan Indigenous People Forum head Harun Sabuku did not hesitate to show his people’s support for Jokowi’s potential presidential candidacy.

“I’m proud this event is led by a young leader like Pak Jokowi. I hope that Pak Jokowi can lead not only Jakarta but also this country in the future,” Harun told the forum, which welcomed the speech with a round of applause.

Jakarta Tourism and Cultural Agency tourist attraction management division head Ida Subaedah said some foreign countries had sent representatives to the event.

“Royal members from Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Denmark flew from their home countries to attend this event, while the remaining foreign kingdoms were represented by their embassies’ officers,”
she said.

The World Royal Heritage Festival, which will be held from Thursday to Sunday, will showcase 165 palaces from across the country, 10 foreign palaces, 300 royal carriages, 1,000 cultural performances, an exhibition, a culinary festival and various workshops.

The festival will be staged at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta.

At 3 p.m. on Sunday, royalty and other representatives, as well as the governor, will join a cultural parade on royal carriages around the Monas area.

The parade will march from northeast Monas–Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara–Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat–Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan and return to Monas through the southeast entrance. (Sita W Dewi)