Vehicles carrying state officials and other guests of the State of the Nation address on Aug 16, 2024 arrive at the Senayan Legislative Complex in South Jakarta. – The Jakarta Post/Antara
JAKARTA: Former presidents Megawati Soekarnoputri and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) did not attend the State of the Nation address, the last such address for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, at the House of Representatives on Friday (Aug 16) morning.
The House invited several prominent politicians for the address, including former presidents and vice presidents, cabinet ministers and political party leaders.
House secretary-general Indra Iskandar said on Friday morning that Megawati had confirmed her attendance at the address, along with former vice presidents Try Sutrisno, Jusuf Kalla and Budiono.
But “Pak SBY will not attend,” Indra told reporters, citing the former president’s schedule in his hometown of Pacitan, East Java.
Despite Indra's confirmation of Megawati’s attendance, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman was not seen in the Senayan legislative complex by the time the address started at 9.30am.
PDI-P lawmaker Aria Bima told reporters that he did not know whether Megawati would attend the address or not.
“If she's feeling well, she will come, but only if she’s in Jakarta. I don’t know any more than that,” Aria said.
Defense Minister and president-elect Prabowo Subianto had confirmed his attendance at Friday’s event. He was seen arriving at the Senayan legislative complex at around 8.30am. Meanwhile, Indra said that vice president-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is also Jokowi’s eldest son, was not invited, citing limited space.
“Pak Prabowo was invited in his capacity as a party leader and as defense minister,” Indra said.
Friday's event will hear the last State of the Nation address from Jokowi before he steps down from the presidency in October.
After delivering the address, Jokowi is set to depart for Nusantara in East Kalimantan on Friday afternoon.
He is slated to lead the 79th Independence Day ceremony in Nusantara on Saturday (Aug 17) morning, the first to be held in the nation’s future capital.
Indra said that House speakerships were also expected to fly to East Kalimantan on Friday night for Saturday’s ceremony. – The Jakarta Post/ANN
