Prabowo Highlights Bill Gates' US$159mn Grant to Indonesia Since 2009, Cites Award

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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto welcomed Bill Gates to the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta today, May 7, 2025. During his address, Prabowo disclosed that the co-founder of Microsoft and philanthropist has provided grants to Indonesia totaling US$159 million since 2009.

"He has given a grant to Indonesia amounting to US$159 million," Prabowo said, as recorded on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel. When converted to Indonesian Rupiah, based on an exchange rate of approximately Rp16,534 per US dollar, this grant is equivalent to Rp2.6 trillion.

Prabowo detailed that these grants have been allocated across sectors, with the largest portion dedicated to the public health sector.

"In the health sector, it's US$119 million; in agriculture, US$5 million; in technology, US$5 million; and for other cross-sector social assistance, over US$28 million," the former Minister of Defense explained.

During this meeting, Prabowo also introduced Bill Gates to a dozen Indonesian conglomerates. The attendees included CT Corp CEO Chairul Tanjung; Citra Borneo Indah Group owner Abdul Rasyid; PT Alamtri Resources Tbk owner Garibaldi 'Boy' Thohir; Arsari Group owner Hashim Djojohadikusumo; and Barito Pacific Group owner Prajogo Pangestu.

Additionally, Commissioner of Indika Energy Arsjad Rasjid; Artha Graha Group owner Tomy Winata; Lippo Group owner James Riady; Salim Group executive Anthony Salim; Mayapada Group owner Dato Sri Tahir; and Jhonlin Group owner Andi Syamsuddin Arsyad, also known as Haji Isam, were present.

Meanwhile, cabinet members who participated in the meeting included State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi; Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono; Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin; Minister of Investment and Industrial Estates/CEO Danantara Rosan Roeslani; Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya; and Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid.

Prabowo further mentioned his intention to bestow an honorary title upon Bill Gates. This honor is in recognition of the latter's significant contributions, not only to the Indonesian people but also to humanity as a whole.

Bill Gates arrived at the Merdeka Palace at 08:16 AM Western Indonesian Time (WIB). The President personally welcomed him at the palace veranda. A spokesperson for the Presidential Palace indicated that the meeting focused on discussions regarding various sustainable development initiatives.

"Specifically, they discussed global health issues, nutrition, financial inclusion, and public digital infrastructure," said Yusuf Permana, Deputy of Protocol, Press, and Media of the Presidential Secretariat, as stated in his official press release on Wednesday.

Eka Yudha Saputra contributed to the writing of this article.

Editor's Choice: Rosan Roeslani Courts Bill Gates for Danantara Investment

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