SBY to hold an 'open house' at Merdeka Palace Friday

As in previous years, during the Idul Fitri celebration this year, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will hold  an “open house” at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Friday.

The head of presidential household affairs, Winata, said the open house, which is intended to give the public an opportunity to join a get-together with the President, will be held from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Residents intending to take part in the event are advised to enter the State Palace through the gate near the State Secretariat on Jl. Majapahit No. 7, Central Jakarta.

“The gate will be opened at 2 p.m. and be closed at 4:30 p.m.,” Winata said in a statement made available to tempointeraktif.com Thursday.

Visitors are asked to park their cars or motorcycles at the State Secretariat compound.

Guests are asked to wear neat clothes, but are not allowed to bring bags, cameras and cell phones into the palace. “For the sake of maintaining security,” Winata said.