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Djarot invites Obama on trip down memory lane
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Former US president Barack Obama speaks at the German media prize ceremony in Baden-Baden, southern Germany, on May 25. (AFP/Thomas Kienzle)
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cting Jakarta governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat plans to invite former United States president Barack Obama on a trip down memory lane during the 44th US president’s visit to Jakarta early next month.
In a highly anticipated visit, Obama is scheduled early next month in Jakarta to deliver his first speech in Asia since leaving office. He is expected to speak about globalization and pluralism.
Obama is set to open the fourth Indonesian Diaspora Congress held by the Indonesia Diaspora Network Global (IDNG), for which more than 6,000 Indonesians who live abroad have registered to attend. It will be held at Kota Kasablanka Mall in South Jakarta between July 1 and 4.
It will be the second visit for Obama to his childhood home after his memorable presidential visit in 2010, during which he charmed thousands at the University of Indonesia in Depok, West Java, with a speech.
“At least he has to [visit] his school first [in] Menteng. After that, maybe [we will invite him to visit] Kalijodo and Kota Tua. If he is willing, we could then take him to Thousand Islands,” Djarot said at City Hall in Central Jakarta on Tuesday as quoted by wartakota.tribunnews.com.
However, the Jakarta administration has not prepared a special event to welcome Obama because he will be visiting Indonesia as a state guest, he added.
“The central government is the one coordinating the protocol. If he wants to [take a] nostalgic [trip], then we will provide it,” said Djarot.
