Too Close to the President, Get Ready to Be Pushed by Paspampres – kompas.id

When will you meet the President again? But, sometimes, Paspampres needs to be prepared when trying to approach the Head of State.
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Although President Joko Widodo enjoys interacting with the public, the Presidential Security Force (Paspampres) in blue uniforms must remain vigilant against various potential threats.
When President Joko Widodo was about to give a statement to the press, one of the Presidential Security Force personnel suddenly moved behind the Head of State. The personnel promptly restrained someone who appeared to have approached the President unexpectedly. The individual was immediately pushed back and away from the President.
No wonder, when the Presidential Security Force (Paspampres) personnel tried to sneak up and detain someone who suddenly appeared, he nudged President Jokowi in the back. President Jokowi also seemed a little encouraged. Even though he was surprised, the President continued to give statements to journalists.
This small incident occurred after President Jokowi visited the Konawe Regional General Hospital, Konawe Regency, North Sulawesi Province, Tuesday (14/5/2024). Acting Deputy for Protocol and Press Media, Yusuf Permana, said that the incident occurred when a member of the public wanted to approach from behind the President while he was giving an official press statement to journalists.
“Of course, the Presidential Security Force quickly prevented the individual with the aim of not disturbing the President who was giving a press statement,” said Yusuf in writing.
Also read: The story of the “Jaguar” while guarding Jokowi and the Republic of Indonesia
The blue-clad Presidential Security Force (Paspampres) personnel ensure that President Joko Widodo remains safe despite visiting various public places and interacting with residents.
It turned out that this person, said Yusuf, wanted to convey his employment problem as a civil servant (PNS) in Konawe Regency to the President.
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Assistant Intelligence Officer for Intelligence, Paspampres Commander Colonel Kav Herman Taryaman explained, when someone tries to get close to a VVIP (very very important person/naratetama) object, Paspampres members will immediately secure it by moving the person away from the VVIP object. “The hope is that nothing untoward will happen,” said Herman.
The officer from Paspampres who pushed the person who suddenly approached is part of the President’s Private Guard (Walpri). Walpri is a member of Paspampres who is always closest to the President.
The Presidential Security Force (Paspampres) conducted a security simulation during the badge award and pinning ceremony of Paspampres to the Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) at the Paspampres Command Headquarters in Jakarta on Monday (7/8/2023).
This procedure is deemed in line with Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian Armed Forces’ main duty in safeguarding VVIP. In principle, their task is to provide close physical protection against potential threats that could harm the object of VVIP. Therefore, Paspampres can be referred to as a living shield and ready in body and soul to carry out this task.
However, this task becomes more complicated because President Jokowi enjoys visiting public places and interacting with the people. During his work visits to regions and after completing his agenda, the President will visit shopping centers while having dinner, as he did on Sunday (12/5/2024) at The Park in Kota Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi.
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During a work visit to Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara on May 2, the President also stopped by Epicentrum Mall. At the shopping center, the President will serve residents who want to shake hands and take photos together.
In addition, almost every official visit, the President visits markets and centers of community activities. While checking the prices of commodities, the President interacts with the locals. Handshakes and taking pictures together have become a routine “menu.”
The Presidential Security Detachment’s Music Unit (Paspampres) is responsible for the state ceremony welcoming President Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java, on Thursday (25/1/2024).
It’s not uncommon for the President to cycle in free-driving areas as he did around Thamrin-Sudirman Road, Jakarta on May 5th and May 12th, 2024. After cycling, the President usually stops and gives the opportunity for residents to shake hands and take photos together.
Also read: Cycling bamboo at CFD, President Jokowi greets residents and provides selfies
Commotion is certain to occur, and when residents approach, they should be prepared to be pushed by the Presidential Security Force. However, people can hope that President Jokowi will see and wave his hand to invite them to take a photo together. Only then will the Presidential Security Force let them approach and take a selfie.
Sometimes, the President’s assistant helps take photos. It is also possible for the Minister of State Secretary, Pratikno, to capture the moment, such as during a dinner at one of the restaurants in The Park, on Sunday (12/5/2024).
President Joko Widodo takes a morning bike ride in the Jalan Thamrin-Sudirman area, Jakarta, Sunday (5/5/2024).
One radio journalist who is on duty at the Presidential Palace also shared his experience of mingling with residents while capturing pictures of the President cycling on the car-free day in Jakarta, on Sunday (5/5/2024).
Also read: Jokowi’s bicycle surprise for PM Albanese
At that time, he happened to be enjoying sports, and his reporting instincts arose when the President passed by. “If we cover it, it’s safe, but yesterday it was quite (encouraging),” he said.
Approaching the President and Vice President is not easy. The challenges are enormous, especially for ordinary citizens. On behalf of their duty, the Presidential Security Force (Paspampres) will not hesitate to facilitate this. Meanwhile, citizens sometimes feel that they may not have another opportunity to meet the President.

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