In an almost unimaginable scenario for most world leaders -- accustomed to traveling on wide open streets secured by police —Widodo and his entourage were forced to walk 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) in Cilegon on Thursday to attend a military event.
Widodo was scheduled to participate in a parade marking the 72nd anniversary of the country`s defense forces in Banten province -- about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Jakarta.
"I asked how far we still had to go. `Three kilometers, sir,` the driver answered. Well, I then got off the car. I had better walk," Widodo told reporters, according to the state-run Antara News. It said he opted to walk after waiting for 30 minutes in his car.
Following the President`s cue, several high-level officials, including the defense minister and the chief of staff, took to the pavement.
Indonesia is notorious for heavily-congested streets, especially in the capital of Jakarta, where short drives can take hours. Commuters wait in a traffic jam during afternoon rush hour in Jakarta last month. The traffic was too congested even for motorcycles, which are popular in the city. "I might have taken a motorcycle if only it could pass, and I would not have become this tired," Widodo told state media. Luckily, the President was in good spirits and did not seem to mind the afternoon stroll. "It is only 3 kilometers. I am used to walking that far. It is all right, although it made me sweat because I wore a suit," he said.
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