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Jokowi bows out of Idul Fitri visit to Megawati
Jokowi skipped visiting the PDI-P matriarch over Idul Fitri for the first time in his two-term presidency, opting instead to visit family in Medan, while the party's secretary-general stressed that "only friends" attended the gathering at Megawati's residence on Wednesday.
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (left) speaks with Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Sukarnoputri (center) during the party’s national congress in Jakarta on June 6, 2023, as PDI-P presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo looks on. (Antara/Akbar Nugroho Gumay)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo apparently opted to spend time with his family instead of making his annual visit to Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) matriarch Megawati Soekarnoputri over Idul Fitri.
Known locally as Lebaran, the two-day holiday marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan and involves local traditions, such as hosting public gatherings or visiting friends, family and colleagues as a gesture of mutual forgiveness to strengthen ties.
Jokowi was conspicuously absent from the private gathering Megawati hosted on Wednesday at her private residence on Jl. Teuku Umar in Menteng, Central Jakarta, where she welcomed close relatives and party members.
On the same day, the President hosted an open house at Merdeka Palace for government officials and the general public to celebrate the first day of Idul Fitri.
This is the first year Jokowi has skipped visiting Megawati for Idul Fitri since he ascended to the presidency in 2014, backed by the PDI-P’s powerful political machine.
He maintained the annual tradition last year, just days after Megawati declared former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo as the PDI-P’s presumptive nominee.
Read also: :Jokowi hosts Idul Fitri gathering at palace for ministers, public
