Ganjar Visits The First Boarding Houses In Jakarta, Mrs. Kos: Like Her Own Family

Ganjar Pranowo (Photo: IST)

JAKARTA - Ganjar Pranowo accompanied by his wife, Siti Atikoh Supriyanti, reminisced about the boarding house and office when he first started work in Jakarta after graduating from college. Wearing a dark sports shirt, Ganjar walked through an alley in the Petojo Sabangan area, Gambir District, Central Jakarta.

He was greeted by boarding house owners and local residents such as his own family, Saturday, January 6. Local residents also welcomed Ganjar like a child who returned from overseas.

All residents still recognize the familiar number 3 presidential candidate. Likewise, Ganjar still remembers one by one the names of residents who live around his boarding house.

For example, Rosali, the owner of the boarding house who is usually called Mrs. Ros and Engkar, a woman who often helps wash clothes at that time. "This is Mrs. Ros who owns the boarding house and this is Engkar, who helps me wash clothes," said Ganjar.

Then, the former governor of Central Java for two periods saw a many-changing boarding house. In the past, the boarding house was still walled with plywood, now it is a wall.

"In the past, the barrier was plywood. The size was 2x5 square meters, so if the selonjor leg ran out. One month it was IDR 50 thousand," he said.

He said he had occupied the boarding house for approximately 4 years since 1997. During that time, Ganjar walked about 500 meters every time he left and came home from work at a consulting firm.

"If you go to work on foot, it's quite close. That's the office that was just built and started and I worked there," he said.

The white-haired politician also recalled the 1998 incident where there was a major riot in Jakarta. Many people ran, into the middle of the village.

"In the past, this alley was busy when the 98 incident happened," he explained.

After reminiscent with residents around the boarding house, Ganjar then walked to his office first. However, now it has turned into a modern shop.

"This used to be his office. There were nails to install the air conditioner first, I installed it myself," he said.

The presidential candidate, who is paired with Mahfud MD, shares tips with young people who want to start a career in Jakarta or other areas, keep fighting.

"At that time, my salary was Rp. 350 thousand, yes, the original ngenes. So the food needs must be regulated, don't look for expensive ones. The message is to fight, learn to manage, and don't complain," he said.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Ros said that Ganjar was a good and friendly child with residents around the boarding house. Thus, Ganjar is considered his own family.

"The person is kind, friendly and often gathers residents here. Yes, it's like going home, he's like his own family," he said.

From many years, according to him, Ganjar's polite attitude has not changed. "He is polite and kind. He has always been a good person," he said.