SBY throws a family ‘nasi goreng’ party

Ina Parlina, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Headlines | Sun, April 14 2013, 8:39 AM

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President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono hosted a casual diplomatic gathering for more than 90 ambassadors and mission representatives at the Cipanas Palace in West Java, on Saturday.

The President and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono also gave a palace tour to guests, who brought along their families.

They enjoyed a walk in the palace’s forest and herb garden after having breakfast during a welcoming ceremony.

Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa welcomed the guests and their families, hoping the occasion would foster positive partnerships between all countries around the world, emphasizing the importance of diplomats in adding value to international relations.

“We have seen a substantial increase in the number of diplomatic missions in Jakarta,” he said. “This is in line with one of the President’s guiding principle: a million friends and zero enemies.”

There are 134 diplomatic missions in Indonesia this year, an increase from 117 in 2010. This year, four more diplomatic missions will be established.

Representing the guests, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador Alice Mageza said thanked the President and Marty for the invitation.

“This is a special occasion, leaving Jakarta and coming to Cipanas, gives us time to relax and interact with each other here, including our family,” she said.

US Ambassador Scot Marciel and Belarusian Ambassador Vladimir Lopato-Zagorsky were among the 300 guests.

Vice President Boediono and wife Herawati, along with ministers including Djoko Suyanto, Hatta Rajasa, Agung Laksono, State Secretary Sudi Silalahi and Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam, also attended the gathering.

Mageza agreed that diplomats indeed had an important role in shaping relations between countries.

“As diplomats, we are here to build bridges between our countries and Indonesia, between our people and Indonesian people,” she said. “Just like the Foreign Minister said, diplomats have been very important in promoting the interests of their countries, particularly in the areas of business and culture.”

She later said that everyone enjoyed the walk and admired the garden.

“It reminds us of Indonesia’s rich flora and also reminds us to go green,” she said. “We are privileged to have our families gathered here; and now we are looking forward to see the demonstration of nasi goreng [fried rice].”

She was referring to a cooking demonstration called “Nasi Goreng a la SBY” by the President himself.

Guests were able to taste the dish with ingredients prepared by the First Lady.

Yudhoyono revealed his secret ingredient to make the nasi goreng crunchier: tiwul.

Tiwul is a Javanese dish traditionally associated with poverty made of cassava flour soaked, finely ground by hand and then steamed.

“Later, when I finish my term in office, I will open a restaurant; please come and visit,” Yudhoyono told the guests while he was cooking.

The Palace also hosted a quick guessing game “Sight and Sound Quiz” that challenged the guest on their general knowledge of Indonesia.

Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said he hoped the event organized by the Foreign Ministry, would strengthen the diplomatic relations among countries.

He said there was no plan yet to hold the event annually.

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