Ex-beauty queen and Jokowi's son wed

Ex-beauty queen and Jokowi's son wed

SURAKARTA (Indonesia) - President Joko Widodo has officially become a father-in-law, with thousands of people yesterday flocking to attend the wedding reception of his eldest son and a former beauty queen.

Mr Gibran Rakabuming Raka, 27, tied the knot with Ms Selvi Ananda, 26, yesterday at Mr Joko's home in Surakarta city, also known as Solo. After the ceremony, the couple, in traditional white-and-brown costumes, displayed their marriage certificate and wedding bands to the media.

Mr Joko expressed his gratitude in a short speech. "My son Gibran has wed Ms Selvi Ananda. To all Indonesians who have prayed for us, I would like to express my thanks," he was quoted as saying by Tribunnews.

After the solemnisation, a reception was held for guests, who included civil servants, traders and Surakarta residents.

"I am so happy. I did not expect to be invited by Mr Jokowi," nasi gudeg stall owner Yustina told DetikCom news website after attending the reception, using the President's nickname.

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Guests had to park their vehicles some distance away before taking pedicabs that were provided to the wedding venue.

They were screened with metal detectors upon entry.

The media-shy Gibran kept his relationship with Ms Selvi, who won the 2009 Miss Surakarta pageant, private. They met at the pageant in which Mr Gibran served as a jury member. His mother, current First Lady Iriana Widodo, placed the crown on Ms Selvi's head, and reportedly whispered to Mr Gibran that she would not object if Ms Selvi became her daughter-in-law, the Jakarta Post said.

Mr Gibran, the oldest of three siblings, has managed a catering business in Surakarta since 2010. Ms Selvi worked at a local private bank but quit her job after the wedding was announced.


This article was first published on June 12, 2015.
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