REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) attended the 2019 National Chinese New Year Celebration at the Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo) area in Central Jakarta on Thursday. He arrived at the location of the event along with the 5th Indonesian president Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is also the General Chair of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle.

The event, which was attended by thousands of Indonesian ethnic groups, also involved the 6th Republic of Indonesia vice president Try Sutrisno and a number of working cabinet ministers, including Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto and Secretary of State Pramono Anung. A number of leaders of state institutions, namely House Speaker Bambang Soesatyo and DPD Chairman Osman Sapta Odang, as well as DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, were also present.

Representatives of foreign countries in Indonesia, kings, and sultans in the country also attended the 2019 National Chinese New Year Celebration, under the theme Knitting Diversity Strengthening the Unity. Also present were figures from Islamic Organizations from Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama, namely KH Syafii Maarif and KH Said Agil Siroj.

Jokowi, wearing a dark blue batik shirt combined with light blue and light brown color, was welcomed enthusiastically by the audience who invited him to shake hands and take pictures.

The event began with a dance performance by a number of young men and women. It was followed by remarks by the Chairperson of the 2019 National Chinese Lunar Year Celebration Committee Sudhamek Agung Waspodo Sunyoto and speech by Jokowi. In his speech Sudhamek, among others, expressed his gratitude for Jokowi's willingness to attend the 2019 Chinese New Year Celebration.

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