TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto welcomed the arrival of the founder of Microsoft and global philanthropist, Bill Gates, at the Merdeka Palace on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Prabowo greeted Bill Gates at the palace grounds and invited him inside for a discussion.
After a brief chat and photo session, Prabowo invited Bill Gates to continue the discussion in his office. Several ministers from the Merah Putih Cabinet also accompanied the meeting including the Minister of Investment and Empowerment/Head of BKPM Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono.
This is not the first time Bill Gates has visited Indonesia. It's noted that this is Bill Gates' third visit to Indonesia. However, this visit is said to be related to cooperation in the fields of health, digital technology, and investment in sustainable innovation.
1. Planning TB Vaccine Trials
Prabowo revealed that one of the topics discussed in his meeting with Bill Gates at the Merdeka Palace was about conducting TB vaccine trials in Indonesia. Bill Gates, through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is currently funding research and trials of TB vaccines, which have now entered the clinical trial stage in several countries.
"He (Bill Gates) is developing a TB vaccine for the world, but Indonesia will be one of the trial locations for the vaccine, and we know that TB causes a significant number of deaths, with nearly 100,000 deaths each year," said Prabowo, as quoted by Antara on May 7, 2025.
Prabowo stated that the government is committed to reducing the death toll from TB, which is currently being carried out through various programs including free health check-ups. Bill Gates mentioned that two locations in Indonesia have been selected for clinical trials of the TB vaccine, but he did not provide further details about the locations.
Bill Gates added that the trials would support the development of the TB vaccine which could later be used in countries with high TB prevalence. "We are conducting trials in Africa, India, and here (Indonesia). We are eagerly anticipating it," said Bill Gates.
2. Reviewing the MBG Program
Bill Gates then left the palace complex and headed to SDN 03 Jati in Pulogadung, East Jakarta, to review the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program with Prabowo, accompanied by Budi Gunadi Sadikin. Bill Gates and Budi Gunadi Sadikin traveled to SDN 03 Jati in the same car.
Prabowo and Bill Gates arrived at the location around 10:28 AM. They then greeted residents along the road near SDN Jati 03, Pulogadung, East Jakarta. The residents could be heard shouting "Mr. President," "Mr. Prabowo," and other calls, hoping to get a direct greeting from both of them.
The vendors around the school were also enthusiastic in welcoming the arrival of Prabowo and Bill Gates, while many residents captured the moment.
3. Prabowo's Plan to Honor Bill Gates
Prabowo revealed his plan to award the highest honorary decoration to Bill Gates, for his outstanding contributions not only to the Indonesian people but also to the world.
The President considered Bill Gates very worthy of receiving the highest decoration from Indonesia, considering that through his foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, he consistently funds vaccine development and various other empowerment programs in Indonesia.
"I will hold a meeting of the Honorary Council because I want, in the name of the Indonesian nation, to award the highest honor to one of the foreign citizens for his services in helping the Indonesian people and the people of the world," said the former Minister of Defense as quoted by Antara, May 7, 2025.
Prabowo stated that the plan to award the highest honorary decoration to Bill Gates would be carried out directly in New York, United States, in September 2025. "Many of us have agreed to this proposal because you are very deserving of this honorary decoration considering your humanitarian services," continued the Head of State in English.
Since 2009, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has donated more than 159 million US dollars to various sectors in Indonesia, with the main allocation in the health sector amounting to 119 million US dollars, 5 million US dollars for the agricultural sector, 5 million US dollars for technology, and over 28 million US dollars for cross-sector.
"He has provided assistance of 1.3 trillion Rupiah, and now our BioFarma is one of the producers of 2 billion vaccine doses each year, which are utilized by 42 countries worldwide, used by 902 million people," said Prabowo.
4. Invited to Join Danantara
Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin invited the founder of Microsoft and philanthropist Bill Gates to join the advisory board of the Badan Pengelola Investasi (BPI) Daya Anagata Nusantara (Danantara).
At the same time, CEO of Danantara Indonesia, Rosan Roeslani, invited Bill Gates' foundation, The Gates Foundation, to allocate funds to the Danantara Trust Fund. "I have also spoken with the team from the Gates Foundation yesterday morning about the potential for collaboration with Danantara," said Rosan after accompanying President Prabowo Subianto in receiving Bill Gates at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
Annisa Febiola and Eka Yudha Saputra contributed to the writing of this article.
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