Independence Day celebration in Indonesia, marked with a different atmosphere under President Prabowo Subianto, saw the special invitation of 60 small business vendors. These vendors were chosen to provide goods that were purchased by the State Palace and served to guests, 80 percent of whom were members of the public. The vendors, such as Wahyu selling traditional kue apem cakes, expressed their gratitude and happiness for being included in the event. Another vendor, serving es doger, shared his joy at stepping inside the State Palace for the first time in his life, describing the experience as grand and festive. This year, in a special gesture, 60 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) were invited to serve 30,000 portions of food and drinks free of charge to the public at three different stations within the Palace premises. Visitors were thrilled by the opportunity to be up close and experience the State Palace in a unique way. An attendee, @ijoeel on Instagram, shared his excitement about the event and praised the Presidential Security Forces (Paspampres) for ensuring both security and hospitality. The 80th Independence Day celebration was not only a people’s festival but also a representation of the Palace’s new openness under President Prabowo, bringing together officials, ordinary citizens, and small street vendors in a shared space of unity.
Small Vendors Thrive: From Apem Cakes to Es Doger at State Palace
