Indonesia’s New President and Ministers Kick Off Military-Style Retreat with Morning Drills
Indonesia’s recently inaugurated President, Prabowo Subianto, along with his cabinet ministers, have embarked on a military-style retreat at a military academy in the Java province. Dressed in army attire complete with camouflage hats, clothes, and combat shoes, the ministers began their activities at the National Military Academy of Indonesia located in the mountainous city of Magelang. The group, which includes ministers and their deputies, arrived in Central Java via Indonesia’s Air Force aircraft, Hercules C-130J, on Thursday.
As per a statement from the Prabowo Media Team, the attendees were required to rise early at 4 a.m. for sports activities and marching exercises. In his opening address at the academy, the 73-year-old former general emphasized that his intention was not to create a military cabinet but to highlight the importance of the ‘military way’ in instilling discipline and loyalty, both to the nation and the state.
Subianto underscored the significance of loyalty to Indonesia rather than to himself, stating, “I did not ask you to be loyal to Prabowo. I ask you to be loyal to our country and our nation, Indonesia.” Apart from the physical activities, he also conducted a briefing with his cabinet on various issues, including the priorities and commitments of each ministry towards tackling poverty, fighting corruption, and achieving self-sufficiency in food and energy.
It is noteworthy that Subianto is not the first Indonesian President with a military background; predecessors such as Suharto and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono also served as retired army generals before assuming presidential roles. However, this unique retreat marks a first during Subianto’s initial term in office. Subianto was sworn in as the new president of Indonesia on Sunday. He formed a cabinet comprising 109 members, making it the largest since 1966.
In Summary:
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto and his cabinet ministers have commenced a military-style retreat at a military academy in Java. The unique initiative aims to promote discipline and loyalty to the nation. The retreat includes morning drills and discussions on key governmental priorities. Subianto, a former general, stresses loyalty to Indonesia, not to himself. This unconventional approach sets the tone for his presidency, distinguishing it from past administrations with military backgrounds.