The First Lady and The Economy Class

Simple things matter. Regardless of all the criticisms that President Widodo had not done enough for his people's welfare, Indonesians are still proud of the first family's sincerity and modest lifestyle.

Indonesian First Lady Iriana Widodo. (Photo source: kemdikbud.go.id)

Jakarta, GIVnews.com – Arvan Pradiansyah is one of the most popular motivator and public speaking consultant in Indonesia. Travelling with a business-class or first-class plane ticket is normal for a man of his stature.

On Wednesday (9/12), Arvan, who also teaches leadership and happiness was travelling from Central Java's Solo to Jakarta onboard a Garuda Indonesia airplane. Enjoying his business-class seat, Arvan spent most of his time reading a book. It was a one-hour flight.

Before the airplane landed at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Arvan asked a flight attendant whether they would get off the plane via a garbarata, the Indonesian term for an aerobridge. The attendant then answered, "Sure, there will be a garbarata because we have a special guest on this plane." She reportedly told Arvan that the special guest was First Lady Iriana Jokowi.

But the Iriana Jokowi was not spotted in his section of the cabin. Arvan was appalled to learn that the first lady used an economy-class ticket. Her seat number was 21E. According to Arvan, there was also no 'Paspampres', the presidential guard on the plane. All things had been just normal when passengers boarded the plane in Yogyakarta and during their flight.

Being curious, Arvan approached Iriana Jokowi who was walking on the air bridge, accompanied by her son and her assistant.

Bertemu Ibu Iriana dlm pnerbangn Solo-JKT pg ini.. Sy di kls bisnis, Ibu Iriana di kls ekonomi. Luar biasa. Salut.. pic.twitter.com/gFDXodnWKN

— Arvan Pradiansyah (@arvanpra) December 9, 2015

He introduced himself to the friendly looking First Lady, then said, "Ibu, why did you take the economy-class? I feel quite unpleasant." And, Iriana replied warmly, "No problem, Mas. I am accustomed to it."

Iriana and her husband, Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo, the Indonesian president, are widely known as a modest couple. They were born in Solo to a humble family.

In November last year, less than a month after his inauguration as president of the country, Jokowi also made headlines. Together with Iriana, he took an economy-class flight from Jakarta to Singapore. In the lion city, they attended the graduation event of their youngest son.

Regardless of all the criticisms that President Widodo had not done enough for his people's welfare, Indonesians are still proud of the first family's sincerity and modest lifestyle.

Source: The First Lady and The Economy Class