The head of state and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono held an open house for members pf their exetended family at the palace,"
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Thursday, the second day of this year`s Lebaran season, held an open house at the Presidential Palace for members of his extended family.

According to a statement from the presidential office`s press relations bureau, the open house started at 10 on Thursday morning.

"The head of state and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono held an open house for members pf their exetended family at the palace," the statement said. The event was closed to the public and the media.

Earlier, on Wednesay, after attending an Idul Fitri pryaer service at the Istiqlal grand mosque, the president also held an open house for state and government officials at the State Palace for about 30 minutes.

Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasa said Wednesday`s open house continued until 12.30 and was attended by the vice president, leaders of state institutions, foreign ambassadors, and cabinet ministers.

Later, from 3 pm until 5.30 pm, the president and his family held another open house for the public at the palace.

Meannwhile, Vice President Boediono and Madame Herawati Boediono also received people from all walks of life at an open house at their official residence in central Jakarta on Wednesday.

Foreign ambassadors, cabinet ministers and high-ranking state officials came to exchange Idul Fitri greetings at Boedionp`s official residence on Jalan Diponegoro starting at 10 am.

Common people started arriving at 2.30 pm including the poor who came in modest clothes, flip flops and even barefoot.Boediono enthusiastically welcomed and shook hands with them.

"I never imagined I could come into his official residence and shake hands with him," Ani, a resident of Manggarai, said.

After shaking hands with the vice president, visitors were led to an area where many kinds of drinks and foods were served. (*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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