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SBY, Prabowo attend King Salman's speech, Megawati not seen
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Former president and Democratic Party Patron Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (left) greets Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto at the House of Representatives. They were among attendees of an event held to honor Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the House on Thursday. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
T
o welcome the historic visit of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, almost all political party elites made their way to the House of Representatives on Thursday to attend the Saudi king’s speech.
Former president and Democratic Party patron Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto were among the special guests in attendance at the House plenary hall for the king’s speech.
However, Megawati Soekarnoputri, patron of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) party, was not seen at the event.
House Speaker Setya Novanto sat beside King Salman on the stage during the meeting. The Golkar Party chairman mentioned the names of several important figures, including Yudhoyono and Prabowo.
(Read also: King Salman urges unity in dealing with terrorism, clash of civilizations)
Speaking to journalists after the king's speech, PDI-P lawmaker Masinton Pasaribu cited several reasons why Megawati might have skipped the event. “Maybe she is busy or had another appointment, and therefore couldn’t come.”
Other party leaders in attendance included Zulkifli Hasan of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Surya Paloh of the NasDem Party, Oesman Sapta Odang of the Hanura Party, Muhaimin Iskandar of the National Awakening Party (PKB), Muhammad Romahurmuziy of the United Development Party (PPP) and Sohibul Iman of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS). (ebf)
