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'I don't do birthday parties': Jokowi overwhelmed by birthday wishes

Construction workers at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport sang “Selamat Ulang Tahun”, the Indonesian version of “Happy Birthday”, during the President's visit to the construction site of the airport’s third runway.

News Desk (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Fri, June 21, 2019 Published on Jun. 21, 2019 Published on 2019-06-21T14:08:55+07:00

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Looking ahead: President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo speaks to 'The Jakarta Post' during an interview at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday. Looking ahead: President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo speaks to 'The Jakarta Post' during an interview at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

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resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who is celebrating his 58th birthday today, received well wishes from construction workers at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten.

As reported by Antara news agency, the workers sang “Selamat Ulang Tahun”, the Indonesian version of “Happy Birthday”, in unison at the construction site of the airport’s third runway on Friday.

The President, who was visiting the construction site, thanked the workers and shook their hands one by one.

However, Jokowi refused to reveal his personal birthday wishes when asked by reporters as he entered the presidential vehicle. 

“I don’t celebrate birthdays,” he said.

However, Jokowi did update his official Instagram account, thanking everyone for their birthday wishes. 

“I have never celebrated a birthday before. [I think] there is no need for parties, but gratitude to God and the nation who expect us to work hard. Once again, thank you,” he said. 

 

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