Magelang – Sholeh, the owner of a five-foot meatball stall in the Bandongan District, Magelang, was filled with happiness. This is because his stall was visited by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto on Monday (1/29) afternoon.
His five-foot stall became a stopping place for Jokowi and Prabowo to eat meatballs together after attending the inauguration of the Main Hall at the Military Academy (Akmil) Magelang.
“Today, January 29, Alhamdulillah, my stall was visited by unexpected guests, the 1st President of Indonesia, Mr. Jokowi, and Mr. Prabowo, who came to my stall in Bandongan,” said Sholeh happily.
Sholeh was very grateful that the event of eating together with both of them went smoothly. According to him, Jokowi and Prabowo seemed to really enjoy his meatball dishes with the addition of fresh coconut water.
Previously, he admitted that he had doubted his ability to prepare hundreds of orders for tendon meatballs a day before Jokowi and Prabowo’s visit agenda. In addition to preparing meatball dishes for both of them, he also made 400 servings to give away for free to the residents.
“The day before, members of the Presidential Security (Paspampres) from the center came to me and asked for permission for a state visit,” Sholeh explained.
“I asked myself if I could prepare it or not, right? Actually, I was doubtful, but I was optimistic that I had to be able and strong. It turns out that now everything is running smoothly,” he continued.
Sholeh also shared that his family was very happy to take photos with Jokowi and Prabowo. Moreover, he and his elementary school-aged child were very happy to have the opportunity to shake hands directly with Prabowo.
“We also got to shake hands with Mr. Prabowo. Here’s the photo. Alhamdulillah, it was unexpected,” said Sholeh.
He considered Prabowo’s figure, which he met for the first time in person, to be very kind and friendly. “From my personal point of view, he’s good. It can’t be expressed in words. He even ate my meatballs,” he explained.
Sholeh revealed that during the handshake moment, Prabowo said to him that his tendon meatball business, from its inception until now, would be more successful. “He said, ‘success always’ (from Prabowo),” said Sholeh.
He also prayed for Prabowo to be healthy and able to lead this country, so that all parties would remain united.
“Mr. Prabowo, always be healthy and (hopefully) be able to lead this country to remain united in diversity, E Pluribus Unum,” he said.
At the location, not only Jokowi and Prabowo were present, but also several artists and celebrities such as Raffi Ahmad, Nagita Slavina, Atta Halilintar, Ria Ricis, Lula Lahfah, Rachel Vennya, Salim Nauderer, Tara Budiman, Christian Bong, Celine Evangelista, and Aan Story. They all appeared in casual white shirts. (SENOPATI)