They are excited to prepare the gacoan noodles ordered by President Jokowi
President Joko Widodo's sudden visit to the Mie Gacoan Lombok shop, Mataram, shocked visitors and employees there
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The sudden visit of President Joko Widodo to a fried noodle stall in Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, was very surprising. Not only for the visitors, but also for the employees who were nervous when preparing and serving the fried noodles ordered by the number one person in Indonesia.
At around 21.10 WITA, President Jokowi arrived at the Lombok Mie Gacoan shop in the Jalan Bung Karno area, Mataram. Visitors who had been there earlier suddenly stood up. Some screamed hysterically, some even jumped for joy.
The visitors then took out their smartphones and captured the moment. Without hesitation, they waved their hands towards the President. "Mr. President... Hey, Mr. Order, remember the order," shouted a female visitor along with the enthusiastic shouts of the online motorcycle taxi drivers.
The President's seat area was not left empty from other visitors. Visitors who arrived earlier were still allowed to sit there. There was almost no distance between the President's seat and other visitors. Nevertheless, the Presidential Security Forces (Paspampres) remained on alert.
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That night, the President was accompanied by the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, the Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman, Acting Governor of NTB H Lalu Gita Ariadi, and Mayor of Mataram Mohan Roliskana.
The President is wearing a long-sleeved black shirt. Meanwhile, Basuki is wearing a long-sleeved white shirt and Amran is wearing a white shirt. Gita is wearing a black polo shirt and Mohan is still in his uniform.
While waiting for their order to arrive, the President invited the three of them to chat. In the meantime, the President called over some visitors who were still standing since the delegation arrived to take selfies, including a ride-hailing driver who was waiting for the order to be cooked. The President even had no objection to holding the phone and taking a picture.
Not only the visitors who come to eat, but also the local residents who know that the President is visiting, compete to take photos together. They do not stop shouting to be pointed out by the President for a photo opportunity.
"It's a big business, there were a lot of bodyguards (Paspampres). "But I was happy, really happy to be able to take a photo with the President," said Dila (17), who was seeing and meeting the President in person for the first time.
Salma (20) couldn't even hold back her tears because she was able to take a photo with the President. Moreover, she also received a t-shirt that was distributed by Jokowi. "I took a photo with Mr. Jokowi. Oh my God. Look... look at this," said Salma while showing her photo with President Jokowi.
Another visitor, Alwi (37), said that although he was very nervous, he was very happy to be able to take a photo with the President.
"Just look straight away. It's like he can't believe it because all this time, he's been busy and suddenly he's in a crowded place like that. At first I just stood there watching from a distance. "But, when he asked me to take a photo, I felt incredibly happy and emotional," said Alwi.
Level 0 fried noodles
President Joko Widodo and his delegation were in Mataram for a working visit to NTB from April 30 to May 2, 2024. During his visit to NTB, the President is scheduled to inaugurate the Regional Road Improvement Program (IJD) in West Lombok and inaugurate the Tiu Suntuk Dam in West Sumbawa Regency. The President will also visit the traditional Seketeng market in Sumbawa.
The President arrived in Lombok on Tuesday afternoon and immediately headed to Mataram, the capital of NTB. Unlike his working visit in June 2023, this time the President was not accompanied by Mrs. Iriana.
The arrival of the President immediately became a topic of conversation among the people of NTB, including in Mataram. Since the afternoon, there has been information circulating that on Tuesday night, the President will visit the Epicentrum Mall, one of the shopping centers in Mataram city.
This has led many residents to specifically come to Epicentrum Mall. Their confidence is getting stronger because the Presidential Security Detail team is also beginning to be seen there. "Yesterday afternoon, I received information that the President will come here. Hopefully, I can see him directly," said Nurjannah (49), a resident of Mataram City.
However, at around 8.30 pm WITA, the Paspamres team left Epicentrum Mall. The President and entourage did not go there, but to the Mie Gacoan noodle stall. Upon receiving this information, residents who had been waiting at Epicentrum Mall also moved.
This change not only surprised visitors, but also the manager of the shop the President visited.
"Especially when there was no prior notification. If there was, maybe we would have prepared a place," said Muh Sapani (26), the Supervisor Manager of Mie Gacoan Lombok.
According to Sapani, another surprise was because the President and his entourage immediately ordered upon arrival. "The President ordered Mie Gacoan level 0 which is not spicy at all. Also, there were shrimp cheese dim sum and siomai. For drinks, he ordered plain tea and hot orange juice," said Sapani.
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Not only that, what made Sapani most nervous, according to him, was being asked to prepare the menu for the President's order. Including for the ministers.
"It was quite nerve-wracking, especially being directly observed by the Paspampres team and others while cooking. But thankfully, I was able to finish cooking. I also feel happy that the President likes it and finished the dish," said Sapani.
Management Training Manager of Mie Gacoan Lombok Wira (28), who was also on duty that night, added that although they couldn't take a photo together, seeing the President in person was a valuable experience.
”I didn't expect it either. Because the number one person in Indonesia. "It's like I can't believe (the President) is eating noodles at our place," said Wira.
Wira also appreciates how the President sits next to other visitors. "The President sits in the same place. He doesn't make the place sterile or ask other visitors to move," he said.
Various hopes
In addition to expressing gratitude for the visit, various hopes were also conveyed from the residents of Lombok to President Jokowi. Moreover, in October 2024, President Jokowi will end his duties after leading Indonesia for two terms.
Yogi, the Head Branch of Mie Gacoan in Mataram City, stated that this is the first visit of a president to their place of operation, which has been running for only one month.
"Thank you very much, for stopping by, we will try our best. "Honestly, I was surprised to suddenly be invited, I really thank you," said Yogi.
He also hopes that the arrival of President Jokowi and his entourage can increase the confidence of local food business actors in developing their business. In addition, the arrival of President Jokowi is also a form of government attention.
"So, we are becoming more confident, more enthusiastic about developing this business," he said.
Muksan (30), an online motorcycle taxi driver, also expressed his enthusiasm for seeing President Jokowi. "During the ten years that Pak Jokowi has been president, I never expected to be able to see his face up close like tonight. Usually, I only see him on TV," he said.
Apart from being happy, Muksan specifically prayed for President Jokowi and his family to always be healthy and live long.
"I can still give my best for Indonesia in the future. Moreover, my leadership baton is being continued by my child. Hopefully, his working programs can be continued by his child. Aiming to make the dream of realizing a Golden Indonesia come true," he said.
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Alwi also said the same thing. "As head of state, he has been extraordinary in leading this great Indonesian nation," he said.
According to him, there are certainly still many things that need to be continuously done for Indonesia. "Hopefully in the future, the next president can bring about maximum changes for this nation," he concluded.
The surprising arrival welcomed enthusiastically by the citizens of Mataram city at the Mie Gacoan restaurant is certainly one of the sweet notes in the last year of President Jokowi's leadership. Moreover, the residents were able to be close and take photos with the President. Hopefully, this will continue to be maintained in the future.