In Indonesia, the 80th Independence Day celebration under President Prabowo Subianto had a unique vibe this year. The State Palace invited about 60 small business vendors, with all their products bought by the palace to serve guests—80 percent of whom were members of the public. One of the vendors, Wahyu, who sells traditional kue apem cakes, expressed his gratitude and happiness for being invited to the event. Another vendor, selling es doger, was overwhelmed with joy as it was his first time inside the State Palace. This year, the Palace went a step further by inviting 60 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to provide 30,000 free meals and drinks to the public at different points in the palace premises. The opportunity to explore the State Palace up close was a memorable experience for many attendees, including one who shared his excitement on Instagram. The event highlighted the Palace’s new openness under President Prabowo, creating a shared space for officials, ordinary citizens, and small vendors to come together in unity.
Vendor Menuju Kebebasan di Istana Negara: Dari Apem Cakes hingga Es Doger
