Solo. Former President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo did not leave the WhatsApp group with his former cabinet after retiring, a former aide said on Tuesday.

The chat group, originally created for coordination between the president and his cabinet members, is being maintained to preserve their friendships.

"We had a WhatsApp group called the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet, and we keep it alive by adding the word 'Alumni' to it," said Pratikno, who served as the Minister of State Secretariat under Jokowi.

According to Pratikno, the group's discussions have shifted from national issues to jokes and light-hearted content since Jokowi's retirement on Sunday.

Pratikno now works for President Prabowo Subianto as the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

Jokowi has returned to his hometown of Solo to enjoy retirement. He spent his second day as a private citizen having lamb dishes for breakfast with his wife, Iriana, at a restaurant on Tuesday.

This was his first public appearance since the two-term president retired on Sunday.

The couple visited a restaurant specializing in lamb dishes on Slamet Riyadi Street, accompanied by their security detail.

“Mr. Jokowi and his wife arrived around 9 a.m. and immediately placed their orders. He had tongseng (spicy lamb soup cooked with coconut milk), while his wife enjoyed satay and soup,” said Isman, a waiter at the restaurant.

“It was a surprise because we never expected him to dine here. Many other customers took selfies with Mr. Jokowi and his wife before they left,” he added.
 

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