Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) was anointed as the king of the indigenous Dayak tribe of Central Kalimantan during a visit to the province on Tuesday.

The president, First Lady Iriana and their entourage were given a warm welcome upon their arrival at the provinces Tjilik Riwut airport around 9.40 am.

A traditional Dayak dance was performed to welcome the head of state.

President Jokowi was given the title of "Raja Haring Hatungku Tungket Langit" (noble, wise and uniting king).

The ceremony was led personally by Agustiar Sabran, the chairman of the Dayak Traditional Council of Central Kalimantan, immediately after the president and his entourage arrived.

Sabran said the presentation of the title was an expression of the Dayak communitys appreciation for President Joko Widodo, who has been considered able to lead Indonesia and become the unifying power of the nation.

"This is the expression of Dayak communitys support to the government of President Jokowi," he said in a statement issued by the Press, Media and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat.

The anointment ceremony was attended by a number of Dayak tribal figures, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Health Minister Nila Moeloek.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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