JAKARTA — Those flying coach from Jakarta to Singapore yesterday afternoon might have found themselves seated next to a surprising travel mate — Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Mr Widodo was in Singapore yesterday on a private visit where he took an economy-class flight to attend his youngest son’s graduation ceremony at Anglo-Chinese School (International). Mr Kaesang Pangarep, 19, had completed his International Baccalaureate at the school.

Accompanied by his wife Iriana and daughter Kahiyang Ayu, Mr Widodo was received by the principal of ACS (International), Mr Rob Burrough yesterday evening, Channel NewsAsia reported.

Jokowi — as he is affectionately known — was introduced to the directors and teachers of the school, and was invited to write a message in its graduation book.

The Indonesian First Family then proceeded for a photo-taking session together with other members of the school board.

Mr Widodo’s appearance at the ceremony yesterday attracted an international media presence as he was mobbed by dozens of people who rushed to try to snap photos of him. He was also seen thanking his son’s teachers for their efforts.

State Palace officials earlier told reporters the President was flying commercial and paying for the trip himself.

“The cost is coming out of Joko’s own pocket because he’s travelling for family purposes,” State Secretary Andi Widjajanto said yesterday at the palace.

Mr Widodo, however, was still escorted by seven presidential guards, whose tickets were paid for by the state, Mr Andi had said.

“There won’t be anything more than that in terms of his security detail, because the President is travelling as a father, not as the head of state. So he’ll only be bringing minimum security detail.”

Mr Widodo and his wife have three children. Besides Mr Kaesang and Ms Kahiyang, he also has a 27-year-old son, Mr Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

He is scheduled to return to Jakarta today. Agencies