REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- State guests came dressed in traditional clothing from across Indonesia to attend the Independence Day ceremony at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Saturday. Cabinet ministers, political party leaders, families of former presidents and vice presidents, including fifth Indonesian president Megawati Soekarnoputri, as well as Vice President-elect KH Ma'ruf Amin for the 2019-2024 period came dressed in traditional outfits for the ceremony.
Commander of the Democrat Party Joint Task Force Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and his wife Annisa Pohan wore Minang attire. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and his son Gibran Rakabuming Raka and grandson Jan Ethes Srinarendra were present to welcome Agus and Annisa at the Merdeka Palace. Agus and Jokowi later held a brief conversation and posed for a group photograph.
Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu wore Lampung traditional clothing during the ceremony. Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung also wore Lampung’s customary dress, while his wife wore South Sulawesi’s traditional clothing.
Forestry and Environment Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar wore a modern kebaya, a long-sleeved blouse, with batik cloth, while Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani came dressed in Lampung traditional cloth.
Vice President-elect KH Ma'ruf Amin and his wife Wury Estu Handayani wore Malay cultural clothing, while former vice president Try Sutrisno was dressed in Bangka Belitung cloth. Education and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy came dressed in traditional clothing from North Sumatra.