The President`s entourage was met by an enthusiastic crowd at the Four Seasons Hotel where they had been waiting three hours for a handshake and a selfie.
"We are so excited to wait for our President to be here," said Ardi, an Indonesian student at the University of New South Wales.
Ardi, a post-graduate student majoring in renewable energy also talked about how the summit can integrate ASEAN and Australia despite differences in culture and mindset.
"I want to convey how to integrate Australia into ASEAN. What are its advantages and disadvantages? Because the culture is very different, and the way of thinking is different," Ardi said.
The Indonesian Consulate General in New South Wales has gathered various communities of Indonesian citizens in the state, but limited each of them to a maximum of 13 people over the age of 10.
The Indonesia Community Council (ICC) has also been coordinating with 24 Indonesian community groups in New South Wales.
"I have been here since 1987. My husband is an Australian citizen. I am now a permanent residence here," Melanie, a member of the Indonesian community group, Minang Saiyo, stated.
President Widodo is scheduled to attend the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2018 on March 16-18 which addresses two priority areas of the economy and defence.
He will also attend a dinner with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at Point Piper this evening.
Reported by Desca Lidya N.
Y013/INE/B003
(T.Y013/A/KR-BSR/B003)
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
