70-Year-Old Woman Pedals Three Hours to Meet Prabowo

March 31, 2025 | 12:51 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Ida Nurlaila set off on a three-hour bike ride at dawn to meet Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta. The 70-year-old woman left Ciledug, Tangerang, Banten, at 5 AM to attend President Prabowo's open house at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday, March 31, 2025.

Ida did not use public transportation because she could not afford it. "I use a bike because I just don't have the fare," said Ida when met at the palace yard on Monday, March 31, 2025.

Ida works by offering massage services. Daily, she can earn Rp50,000 to Rp300,000 from customers who want to use her services. "If there are no customers, I don't get paid," she said.

Ida has long wanted to meet President Prabowo. Ida wants to offer Prabowo free massage services. She noticed that President Prabowo's steps seemed heavy. That's why she wants to massage Prabowo's feet. "I want to massage him so he can walk smoothly," she said.

Ida said she has visited Prabowo's residence in Kertanegara, South Jakarta, three times. She wanted to offer massage services, but Prabowo was always unavailable. At this year's Eid open house, Ida wants to convey her desire to President Prabowo.

Additionally, Ida hopes that Prabowo will pay more attention to the people. She wants the villagers to enjoy the free, nutritious meal program. "I'm not asking for donations. I just want to convey that," said Ida.

On a separate occasion, Fitri Simanjuntak, 48, said she has long wanted to meet President Prabowo. The resident of Pulogebang, East Jakarta, even brought four of her friends. "I brought my friends. Just want to meet him. To greet and socialize," she said at the presidential palace yard, Monday, March 31, 2025.

Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media of the Presidential Secretariat, Yusuf Permana, previously said President Prabowo's open house event will also invite the general public. "After Eid prayer, President Prabowo is scheduled to go to the Merdeka Palace to hold an open house event," said Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media of the Presidential Secretariat, Yusuf Permana, in an official statement on Sunday, March 30, 2025. Before holding the open house, Prabowo Subianto performed the 1446 Hijri Eid prayer at the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta.

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