President Jokowi Welcomes King Salman at Bogor Presidential Palace

President Jokowi welcomes King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, on the terrace of the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, on Wednesday (1/3) afternoon. (Photo: Agung/Public Relations)

Local residents enthusiastically greeted King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia and his entourage along the way from the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta to the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, on Wednesday (1/3) afternoon. Even in Bogor, the crowds were so enthusiastic to welcome King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud and his entourage from the Bogor exit toll to the Bogor Presidential Palace.

Without being ordered, people flocked the roadside leading to the Bogor Presidential Palace as they want to witness the arrival of King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud. Even, some of them had waited at the front gate of the Bogor Presidential Palace.

Approximately at 13:50pm Western Indonesian Time, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud and his entourage arrived at the Bogor Presidential Palace and was greeted by President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo at the Palace terrace. Heavy rain welcomed the arrival of the King and his entourage, but it did not diminish the solemnity of the event. Next, a group of the Bogor Presidential Palace Marching Band played the national anthem of the two countries despite the rain.

The welcoming ceremony, which was initially slated to be held in the Palace’s field, had been moved to the terrace due to the heavy rain. The King was welcomed by 21-cannon salute performed by Yon Armed 7/105 GS of the Jaya Military Command (Kodam), as a sign of respect for King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud. King Salman and his entourage are scheduled to hold bilateral talks with the delegation of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, apart from having special talks with President Jokowi.

Some Working Cabinet Ministers were seen shaking hands with King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, among others, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Transportation Budi K. Sumadi, Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita, Minister of Health Nila F. Moeloek, and Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin. (SM/DNA/AS/AGG/ES) (MUR/YM/Naster).