Jakarta: Indonesia’s newly inaugurated President Prabowo Subianto is set to take his cabinet members on a three-day retreat at a military academy located in a picturesque Javanese mountain range. This unique approach, which involves sleeping in tents, marks an unconventional beginning for a government in the Southeast Asian nation.
Prabowo, a former special forces commander, was sworn in as Indonesia’s eighth president on Sunday, succeeding Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and assuming leadership of the world’s third-largest democracy. He unveiled his cabinet on the same day, with ministers scheduled for inauguration on Monday.
The retreat, taking place this weekend at a military academy in Magelang, Central Java, is approximately 500 km (310 miles) east of Jakarta and is designed to foster camaraderie among around 100 cabinet ministers and their deputies. This diverse group includes politicians, technocrats, former military officials, and religious leaders. According to Abdul Kadir Karding, the migrant protection minister, the retreat aims to align cabinet members with Prabowo’s vision.
Karding emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “So it will be easier for us to work together. (Prabowo) always emphasizes the importance of solidity.” The retreat will also include lessons on anti-corruption, further underscoring Prabowo’s commitment to governance integrity. All ministers are expected to sleep in tents during the retreat, adding to the immersive experience.
Cooperatives Minister Budi Arie Setiadi, 55, confirmed that the retreat will take place from Friday through Sunday, October 25-27. This type of excursion is characteristic of Prabowo’s leadership style, reflecting his approach to team-building and discipline. His Gerindra political party has frequently organized similar events at his expansive Hambalang estate south of Jakarta.
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Gerindra’s most recent retreat occurred in September, aimed at preparing elected parliamentary members for their swearing-in. Social media posts from past retreats depict politicians dressed in brown camouflage uniforms, maroon berets, and combat boots while posing for photographs.
These gatherings typically include briefings on state ideology and leadership, as well as outdoor activities like jogging and light exercises. Prabowo, 73, is known to personally lead these retreats, reinforcing his hands-on leadership approach.
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Prabowo’s cabinet features several officials from the administration of his predecessor, Joko Widodo, including the highly regarded Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, 62, and retired Lt. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, 71, a long-time friend of Prabowo and now the defense minister.
