Kuala Lumpur – A warm and emotional atmosphere filled the lobby of the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur on Sunday evening (May 25, 2025), as Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrived to attend the 49th ASEAN Summit. Among the crowd eagerly awaiting his arrival were Indonesian nationals living and working in Malaysia, many of whom were overcome with emotion upon seeing their president in person.

One of them was Kamaludin, a migrant worker originally from Gayo Lues, Aceh. He admitted he was deeply moved to finally meet the man he had only seen from afar.

“I came here specifically to meet the President. This is an extraordinary moment for me. All this time, I only saw him through the media. But today, I shook his hand in person. Words can’t describe how that felt,” he said, his eyes lighting up.

For Kamaludin, it wasn’t just the physical meeting that made an impression—it was also President Prabowo’s warm and open demeanor toward the Indonesian diaspora.

“Mr. Prabowo was incredibly kind. He welcomed us, the diaspora, with such warmth, and that made me feel truly seen. This is a moment I’ll never forget,” he added.

Coming from a rural background, Kamaludin also expressed admiration for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) initiative launched by the President. To him, the program is more than a government policy—it’s a tangible sign that the state is present for those who need it most.

“I grew up in the countryside, and I know what it’s like to go to school without eating. So many kids live like that. But Mr. Prabowo sees them, he understands their hardship. That’s what touches me the most,” he said.

He went on to propose the establishment of public complaint centers or hotlines in every province, allowing citizens to provide feedback and report issues related to national programs.

In a striking remark at the end of the interview, Kamaludin spontaneously compared Prabowo to Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno.

“To be honest, I didn’t used to believe in Mr. Prabowo. But after witnessing his leadership and his programs—especially his firmness in upholding the law—I’ve changed. Corrupt officials are being dealt with in a matter of months. If I may say so, Mr. Prabowo might just be the second Sukarno,” he said with conviction.