Karina M. Tehusijarana, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo welcomed defense minister and Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto as his first guest of 2020 on Wednesday at Gedung Agung state palace in Yogyakarta.

"In the 2020 new year, Pak Prabowo is the first prominent guest that I have received," Jokowi said after the meeting.

Jokowi's youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep, accompanied him in receiving Prabowo, who arrived with his son, Didit Hediprasetyo. The four then lunched together at the palace

Jokowi said that he and Prabowo talked about family matters as well as state affairs during the meeting.

Separately, Prabowo thanked the President for taking the time to meet him and his son, adding that the pair had also spoken about their plans for the new year.

"[Jokowi] has big plans that must be synchronized, and I am optimistic that the prospects are good and we have a good strategy," Prabowo said. "I am personally optimistic about the coming year, even though it will require a lot of hard work."

The meeting came a few days after Prabowo received Jokowi's son-in-law, Bobby Nasution, in connection with Bobby's intention this year to run for mayor of Medan, North Sumatra. (kmt)

Source: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/01/02/jokowi-welcomes-prabowo-as-first-new-years-guest.html