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INDONESIAN President Prabowo Subianto is currently training the ranks of ministers, deputy ministers and special staff who are part of the Red and White Cabinet. Including the young Vice President, Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
They will receive semi-military training at the Military Academy (Akmil), Magelang, Central Java from Thursday (10/24), 2024 to Sunday (10/27), 2024. They will receive training related to work programs and conduct field activities wearing the distinctive camouflage uniforms of the Indonesian National Army (TNI).
It turns out that this quite unique activity has attracted the attention of foreign media. What are their reactions?
AP News
The Associated Press (AP News) reported on the Red and White Cabinet retreat in the article “Indonesia’s new president and ministers begin a military-style retreat that includes morning drills,” Friday (10/25), 2024. The media from New York, United States highlighted the purpose of the military retreat.
It was written that this event was held to build discipline and foster loyalty of ministers and deputy ministers to the nation and state, as expressed in President Prabowo’s speech.
“I am not asking you to be loyal to Prabowo. I am asking you to be loyal to our country and nation, Indonesia,” Prabowo said, as quoted by AP News.
The media also wrote that in addition to the retreat, President Prabowo also used this moment to brief the cabinet by discussing several priority issues. Starting with the commitment to eradicate poverty, fight corruption, and achieve food and energy self-sufficiency.
The Week
The UK-based media, The Week, reported on the Red and White Cabinet retreat in the article “Indonesia’s new presidential ministers begin military-style retreat which includes morning drills”, Friday (10/25), 2024. The media said that this “unusual” retreat cannot be separated from President Prabowo’s military background.
In the history of the Indonesian government, Prabowo is not the first president to be a retired TNI. The second president, Suharto, and the sixth president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, were also retired army generals.
However, a military retreat for ministers and deputy ministers was held for the first time during Prabowo’s administration. The week also highlighted military activities during the retreat. These ranged from cabinet members leaving on TNI AU’s (Air Forces) Hercules C-130 aircraft to marching activities. Ministers and deputy ministers had to wake up at 4:00 am for sports and other physical activities.
Strait Times
The Strait Times also covered the military retreat of the Red and White Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers in an article titled “With green camouflage and combat boots, Indonesia’s new Cabinet kicks off army retreat”. This Singaporean media highlighted a number of photos and videos shared by the Indonesian Presidential Palace.
One of the interesting moments captured by the camera was when the ministers and deputy ministers wearing hats with camouflage uniforms stood saluting at the Military Academy (Akmil) parade ground while listening to the president’s instructions. There were also photos of the ministers’ air-conditioned tents and photos of cabinet members doing stretching exercises.
The Strait Times wrote that this activity was attended by 48 ministers and 56 deputy ministers from various groups ranging from politicians, technocrats, former military officers to religious leaders. Interestingly, most of the members were in their 50s and 60s.
Nevertheless, this activity received a good response. As seen in several video uploads circulating on Instagram on Thursday (10/24), 2024, the ministers were seen smiling and posing for pictures while boarding the Hercules plane to the military academy.
The ministers also looked relieved as they clapped when the plane landed. “Very good,” said Agriculture Minister Nusron Wahid in one of the videos, as quoted by The Strait Times. [sources/photo special]
