Bill Gates Meets with Prabowo, Indonesia's Business Elites to Discuss Global Initiatives

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto introduced Bill Gates to a group of Indonesian business tycoons during their meeting at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The entrepreneurs present included CEO of CT Corp Chairul Tanjung, owner of Citra Borneo Indah Group Abdul Rasyid, owner of PT Alamtri Resources Tbk. Garibaldi ‘Boy’ Thohir, owner of Arsari Group Hashim Djojohadikusum, and owner of Barito Pacific Group Prajogo Pangestu.

Also in attendance were Indika Energy Commissioner Arsjad Rasjid, owner of Artha Graha Group Tomy Winata, owner of Lippo Group James Riady, and senior executives from Salim Group, Anthony Salim. Other notable figures included Dato Sri Tahir of Mayapada Group and Andi Syamsuddin Arsyad, also known as Haji Isam, of Jhonlin Group.

Meanwhile, cabinet members present included Minister of State Secretariat Prasetyo Hadi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/CEO of Danantara Rosan Roeslani, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, and Minister of Communications and Digital Meutya Hafid.

Bill Gates arrived at Merdeka Palace at 8:16 a.m. local time, where he was directly welcomed by President Prabowo on the palace’s veranda. The Presidential Palace stated that the two leaders met to discuss several sustainable development initiatives. "Especially on issues of global health, nutrition, financial inclusion, and public digital infrastructure,” said Yusuf Permana, Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media Affairs at the Presidential Secretariat, as quoted in an official statement on Wednesday, May 7.

Earlier, President Prabowo Subianto mentioned that Bill Gates had come to offer support for the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program. He explained that the request for Gates' visit had been submitted since November.

“One of the purposes of his visit is to express support and appreciation for the nutritious meal program we are running,” said Prabowo during a Cabinet Full Session briefing at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday.

The former Defense Minister added that Gates planned to provide assistance for the MBG program, though Prabowo was not yet aware of the exact form that support would take.

“However, I want to emphasize that, whether there is assistance or not, whether there is recognition or not, this program is an investment for the nation’s children,” he remarked.

Before arriving in Indonesia, 69-year-old Bill Gates was in Singapore to attend the Philanthropy Asia Summit on May 5 and 6, 2025. There, he met with several top government officials and researchers from Breakthrough Energy, an organization focused on climate change that he funds.

Bill Gates will be opening a branch office for his Gates Foundation in Singapore. This will be their 12th office, and the first in Southeast Asia. The announcement was made by Bill Gates, the Microsoft founder and billionaire, at the 2025 Philanthropy Asia Summit in Singapore on Monday, May 5. "This is to facilitate access to knowledge and collaborate with the philanthropic community here," Gates said.

Editor's Choice: Prabowo Hosts Bill Gates for Talks on Sustainable Development and Free Meals

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