Indonesian Community, Students Enthusiastically Welcome President Prabowo in Antalya

Indonesian community and students welcome President Prabowo Subianto in Antalya, Türkiye, on Friday (04/11). (Photo by Press, Media, and Information Bureau of Presidential Secretariat)

President Prabowo Subianto’s arrival at a hotel in Antalya, Türkiye, on Friday (04/11), was enthusiastically welcomed by Indonesian citizens residing in the southern coastal city. Although they had to travel a long distance, they were eager to welcome the President.

Beside students, several housewives who are members of the “Gelin” community – a term for Indonesian women married to Turkish citizens – also enthusiastically welcome the President.

“I’m really excited. I want to meet the Head of State. So, my husband took me,” said Nuraini, an Indonesian citizen who has lived in Kepez, Antalya for five years. She was even able to chat and shake hands with President Prabowo. “I was asked how many years I have been living here,” she said.

Nuraini also expressed hope that the Gelins will receive more attention from the Indonesian Government, especially in terms of legal protection. “I really want Indonesian women who get married in Türkiye to be protected. If there is domestic violence, we have (legal protection),” she asked.

Meanwhile, Belva, a master’s student in Türkiye also expressed his pride to meet the President directly. Belva, who received a scholarship from the Turkish Government, also expressed hope that the education system in Indonesia could replicate the goodness that he felt while studying in Türkiye.

“In my experience, to get an education here we’re given privileges including free education, housing, and stipend. I hope Indonesia’s education is also like that,” he hoped.

Sulasmi, another Indonesian citizen who has resided in Turkey for 10 years, can’t hide her happiness. She came to the location by taking a 45-minute taxi ride to see President Prabowo in person.

“Today is truly very happy, very happy. I’ve been in Türkiye for 10 years, and this is the first time I’ve been able to meet Mr. President. And I am very happy and excited,” she expressed.

Beside meeting President Prabowo, Sulasmi also had the opportunity to meet and take pictures with Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. “I am very happy that he was so kind to be willing to take pictures with me,” she said excitedly.

President Prabowo visited Antalya to attend the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. The enthusiasm and aspirations of Indonesians living abroad also become an important note of this visit since one of the aims of the President’s state visit is to strengthen the bond between the Government and the Indonesian diaspora in various part of the world. (APN/MMB) (BPMI Setpres)