Palace Denies Reports of Jokowi and SBY Exercising Together at GBK

Jakarta –

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) reportedly exercised with the Speaker of the Upper House of the Democratic Party Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) at the Gelora Bung Karno Complex (GBK), Senayan, Jakarta, yesterday. The palace denied the news.

“No. There isn’t any,” said Deputy for Press Protocol and Media at the Presidential Secretariat Bey Machmudin told journalists, Monday (12/6/2023). Bey replied to the news that Jokowi met and exercised with SBY at GBK on Sunday (11/6) morning.

For information, yesterday Jokowi was scheduled to cycle on the Jakarta and GBK car free day (CFD), but the schedule was suddenly cancelled. Meanwhile, SBY is known to have exercised at GBK with his two sons and grandchildren yesterday morning.

Bey said Jokowi had an internal agenda at the Merdeka Palace yesterday morning. Because of that, Jokowi canceled cycling and going to GBK.

“Mr. President yesterday had internal activities at the Merdeka Palace in the morning,” he said.

“Yeah, it didn’t come out at all,” added Bey.

Bey also explained about the Paspampres who were on standby at GBK yesterday. He said the presence of Paspampres in the GBK area yesterday was just to anticipate Jokowi suddenly wanting to greet residents while exercising.

“Paspampres friends are anticipatory in nature, because usually when the President is Sunday morning in Jakarta, he greets the public while exercising at CFD. But yesterday he didn’t go to CFD, because Mr. President had internal activities and his internal events went past CFD time,” said Bey.

Previously, SBY had also given an explanation. Jakarta LavAni Allo Bank manager, Ossy Dermawan, said SBY and his family were at GBK for sports with players and club officials.

“It is true that there is a schedule of morning walks and joint sports with coaches, players and officials of the LavAni Volleyball Club with Mr. SBY and his family,” said Ossy when confirmed, Sunday (11/6/2023).

Ossy, who is also SBY’s personal assistant, also confirmed that SBY was present at GBK accompanied by his family. “Yes, sir. Mr. SBY and his family, including Mas AHY,” he added.

When confirmed about the presence of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at GBK, Ossy admitted that he did not know. He said, if true, it is likely that Jokowi just happened to be there.

“I don’t understand, maybe it’s just a coincidence,” he said.

See also ‘SBY Calls AHY Accepts Puan’s Invitation to Meet, Discusses the Vice Presidential Candidate?’:

(May/Eve)