The President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, also known as Jokowi arrived in Malaysia yesterday (7 June) for a 2-day work visit. Today (June 8), Jokowi visited the big market at Chow Kit Road, and he was welcomed like a rockstar.
The place is also known as Little Jakarta to some, which was flooded with an estimated around 2,000 people who work there, as well as the visitors when Jokowi arrived at the scene around 12:30 pm today. He was accompanied by our very own PM, Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the trip to Chow Kit in an effort for Jokowi to mingle around with the people there.
“Bapak Jokowi” & “Indonesia Raya”
Despite having 2 different country leaders at the scene, it’s safe to say that the spotlight shined bright on Jokowi, with some people yelling “Bapak Jokowi” out of excitement.
Some excited Indonesians were also heard singing their national anthem – Indonesia Raya to welcome their president in a foreign land. An Indonesian vendor at the market said that he was flattered to have seen Jokowi because it is not easy to see him.
“I only saw him from afar but I was happy. Jokowi is a friendly president who likes to mingle around with the people.”
Other people at the scene took the opportunity to shake hands with the leaders, as well as take selfies with them. According to a report by Harian Metro, Jokowi was also scheduled to have a teatime with the King today at the National Palace.
Jokowi last visited Malaysia in 2019, after he was re-elected again as the President for the 2nd term. You can watch the clip below, which was shared by the Facebook page buletinfm.
It’s definitely a 1-in-a-million kind of opportunity for the people at Chow Kit to meet their own president in a foreign land. Regardless, we’re glad that they were able to see their leader here, even for just a short while.
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