Indonesians were left in amazement after they spotted their President, Joko Widodo trekking 3 kilometers to a state function.
President Joko Widodo of Indonesia trekking due to traffic jam
President Joko Widodo of Indonesia was forced to trek 3 kilometers to the 72nd anniversary of the official founding of the Indonesian Military (TNI) yesterday due to serious traffic jam.
The event took place in Cilegon, Banten with a carefully choreographed military exercises on display at the ceremony.
Narrating how it happened, an eyewitness said the president got out of his car soon after 8am, when the ceremony was set to start (but of course could not start until he arrived).
His motorcade was still some 3 kilometers from the site of the ceremony, but because traffic was at a standstill (apparently due to the huge number of civilians who had come out to see the president), Jokowi and his entourage had little choice but to proceed on foot.
Initially, Jokowi was only accompanied by members of his security guards (Paspamres) and the police, but he was later joined on his long walk by National Police Chief Gen. (Pol) Tito Karnavian and Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu.
Jokowi finally made it to the ceremony at 8:40am. Upon his arrival, the ceremony kicked off immediately, with troops from various battalions entering the venue.