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Jokowi picks traditional Betawi attire for final state address
The President arrived at the Senayan legislative complex in South Jakarta at 9 a.m. on Friday. He appeared to be wearing a black beskap (traditional tuxedo) with a chained ornament in his pocket, a black songkok (traditional male hat) and songket (woven fabric) wrapped around his waist.
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President Joko “Jokowi“ Widodo waves to reporters upon arriving at the Senayan legislative complex in South Jakarta ahead of his final State of the Nation address on Aug. 16, 2024. (Antara/Dhemas Reviyanto)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo continued his custom of wearing traditional regional attire for his annual State of the Nation address, during his final such address on Friday.
This time, he donned the traditional attire of the Betawi people, the native inhabitants of the Greater Jakarta area.
The President arrived at the Senayan legislative complex in South Jakarta at 9 a.m. on Friday. He appeared to be wearing a black beskap (traditional tuxedo) with a chained ornament in his pocket, a black songkok (traditional male hat) and songket (woven fabric) wrapped around his waist.
First Lady Iriana was seen by his side in a beige kebaya (lace blouse).
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin wore Melayu traditional attire from Palembang, South Sumatra, with a black beskap, headdress and songket around his waist.
Meanwhile, Second Lady Wury Estu Handayani picked a green Betawi kebaya.
House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) wore a golden kebaya of the kutubaru pattern, identified by its vertical chest band.
Friday was the second time in the past five years Jokowi opted for traditional attire from a region in Java. In the 2021 address he wore an all-black outfit of the indigenous Baduy people of Banten.
During last year’s annual address, Jokowi picked the attire of the Tanimbar people of Maluku. He wore a white long-sleeved shirt and long black pants, with a burgundy, gold and black tenun (traditional woven fabric) wrapped around his torso. Completing the look was a black waistband with red stripes and golden thread details.
The year before, Jokowi wore the dark green attire of the Bangka Belitung Islands, with a golden headdress. The traditional dress bears influences from the Arabic and Chinese cultures.
This year’s State of the Nation Address is Jokowi’s last before his presidency ends on Oct. 20. (kuk)
