Jakarta —Cheers erupted as Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and global philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates arrived at Jati 03 Public Elementary School in Pulogadung, East Jakarta, on Wednesday (May 7), for an on-site visit to the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.
Teachers, students, and local residents had gathered along the street, eagerly awaiting the President’s arrival. As his convoy neared the school gate, Prabowo waved to the crowd from the open roof of his vehicle, drawing cheers and applause.
Upon entering the school grounds, President Prabowo and Bill Gates were warmly welcomed by students. Prabowo wore his signature brown safari outfit, paired with a black cap and trousers, while Gates sported a light blue shirt and black pants.
The mood was vibrant and filled with excitement. Students enthusiastically chanted the President’s name.
“Prabowo… Prabowo… Prabowo!” they shouted.
Prabowo responded by waving to the students on the upper balconies. Gates, visibly impressed by the energy of the moment, turned to Prabowo and murmured, “Wow.”
The two leaders then inspected the MBG meal trays—neatly prepared in stainless steel lunchboxes—laid out on a table. While examining the food, they engaged in a light conversation before walking through the school corridor and entering one of the classrooms.
Inside, a teacher led the students in greeting the guests in both Indonesian and English.
“Selamat datang. Welcome!” the students chorused.
Following a short prayer, the children eagerly dug into their nutritious meals. Azmi, one of the students, shared how much he enjoyed the day’s lunch.
“It was so good. The menu had fried chicken, crispy chicken, an orange, squash stew, and sautéed tempeh. It was delicious—I finished it all!” he said.
In addition to the meal program, the school also offered basic health checks for students, including dental and ear examinations.
Joining President Prabowo and Bill Gates on the visit were several senior officials: Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Foreign Minister Sugiono, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
