JAKARTA: Chaos occurred at the Eid 2024 open house event held by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (10 April).
Chaos occurred especially when residents queued for basic necessities provided by the Palace.
There are 3,300 basic food packages provided by the Palace selectively to residents deemed to be in greatest need.
Many fell unconscious and had open wounds.
Three people were reportedly rushed to hospital with one of them suffering a wound to his temple.
“It was really crowded inside, there was a lot of pressure. People were stepped on, they were even swollen from bruises,” said Hana (56), to Kompas.com.
“I also fainted earlier, I was weak. I was immediately given an inhaler from there (officers),” continued Hana.
The woman from Bekasi fainted after she managed to get basic necessities from the post.
“After shaking hands with Jokowi, coupons were distributed, I immediately queued.”
Residents jostled at the entrance to the Ministry of State Secretariat Complex, scrambling to get in to attend President Jokowi’s Eid public banquet.
Many entered in such a hurry that they ran.
Even the last group to enter did not go through the screening and detector doors.
Some of them were seen carrying bags and cellphones. In fact, the group of residents who entered previously had to leave their belongings and were not allowed to bring anything into the location.
Crowds and pressure between residents and officers cannot be avoided.
The palace apologized for the chaos.
Head of the Protocol Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat, Yusuf Permana, understands the extraordinary enthusiasm of the public to meet Jokowi.
“Yes, we understand the enthusiasm of the people who want to attend the open house at the Palace with the President and First Lady. We really respect and really appreciate and thank the people who came to the Palace,” said Yusuf, quoted by detikNews
