JakartaGlobe-Oct 26
The days of Prabowo Subianto’s “gemoy” (adorable) campaign persona during the 2024 Presidential Election are over. After dancing his way to a decisive electoral victory, the former army general has reverted to his true identity as a leader who embraces a military approach. Prabowo led his Red and White Cabinet on a four-day retreat at the Indonesian Military Academy (Akmil) in Magelang, where ministers were transported via Hercules military aircraft instead of chartered planes on Thursday. Instead of luxury hotels, the cabinet members stayed in tents and donned military uniforms, participating in synchronized walking exercises reminiscent of military training. “I am not here to make you militaristic; that’s a misconception. Many governments and corporations have adopted The Military Way. The core values are discipline and loyalty—not to me, but to the Indonesian nation and people,” Prabowo said during the retreat opening ceremony on Friday. Later that night, President Prabowo assured that the ministers of the Red and White Cabinet were fully committed to serving the interests of the nation. “The ministers are ready to give everything to defend the interests of the Indonesian nation and people,” he emphasized during a gala dinner with his team and cadets at the Military Academy. During the event, Prabowo explained his choice of Akmil in the Tidar Valley as the training location, highlighting its historical significance in Indonesia’s struggle for independence. He said that this valley was the site of resistance against colonial powers, tracing back to Sultan Agung’s march to Batavia and the fight led by Prince Diponegoro. “The Tidar Valley is the center of Indonesian chivalry. Almost all cadets and alumni of military academies, including the police, have experienced climbing Tidar Hill, either voluntarily or as punishment. This is the true center of chivalry,” Prabowo remarked. Read more at: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/from-adorable-to-authoritative-prabowo-embraces-military-leadership-postelection
