TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Deputy of Protocol, Press, and Media of the Presidential Secretariat, Bey Machmudin, said that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo had canceled a meeting with South Minahasa Regent Christiany Eugenia Tetty Paruntu. The regent had entered the Presidential Palace Complex, yet she did not meet the President.

Bey explained that Tetty visited Golkar Party chairman Airlangga Hartarto there and departed the palace by the side exit.

“Ibu Tetty, from Golkar Party, waited for Pak Airlangga inside [the palace]. After she met Pak Airlangga, she immediately left the palace through the side exit, so she did not meet the President,” said Bey at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Monday, October 21.

According to Bey, Tetty was not a ministerial candidate. He asserted that President Jokowi did not invite the Golkar politician to the Palace. “No, she came to meet Pak Airlangga. Given [the fact] that she did not meet President, it means she is not [a ministerial candidate]," he added.

Based on Tempo’s observation at the Palace, Tetty arrived while donning a white shirt like the other figures visiting the palace, namely Mahfud MD, Nadiem Makarim, Erick Thohir, Wishnutama, and Airlangga Hartarto.

Upon Tetty Paruntu’s arrival, the palace protocol officer asked her to wait at a holding room.

AHMAD FAIZ