September 26, 2025 | 05:45 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stated that he had always wanted to join the mounted police force in Canada since he was a child. He made this remark during his meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the West Block, Parliament Hill, Ottawa, on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
The statement, made during their joint press conference, elicited laughter from Carney. Prabowo expressed his admiration for Canada and extended an invitation to Carney to visit Indonesia. "When I was a child, I always wanted to be a Mountie," Prabowo was quoted as saying on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel on 26th September 2025.
Mountie is a nickname for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). This Canadian mounted police force is known for its distinctive red uniform, Red Stetson hat, and high leather boots.
Carney and the audience laughed upon hearing Prabowo's statement. Prabowo then reiterated that he had seriously harbored the ambition of becoming a Mountie. "I am absolutely serious. Perhaps I will return in a personal capacity," Prabowo said while laughing.
Subsequently, the two governments signed three memoranda of understanding during this meeting. The three agreements are the Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA CEPA), a memorandum between the Indonesian Ministry of Defense and the Canadian Department of National Defense on defense cooperation activities, and an MoU on Commerce, Trade, and Investment Cooperation by the Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) and the Chairman of the Business Council of Canada (BCC).
What is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police?
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is a police force with a distinctive and unique history. As stated in an article published by the University of Waterloo, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) was established in 1873. On May 23, 1873, the Parliament of the Dominion of Canada felt the need to establish a police force for Canada's Northwest Territories. The purpose was to prevent the trading of alcohol among the indigenous people, collect customs duties, and enforce policing duties.
As a result, a special mounted police force for the northwest territories, named the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP), was formed. Although established in 1873, the use of the mounted police force was not required until 1895, when the discovery of gold in the Klondike region of the Yukon began to attract attention from people worldwide.
Officer NWMP Charles Constantine and his men built the first mounted police post in the Yukon, named Fort Constantine. Initially, there were only 19 NWMP officers and members. They were tasked with controlling crime and enforcing the law amidst the increasing population due to the gold rush. However, their numbers were too few, leading to the establishment of 31 posts (detachments) scattered throughout the Yukon.
One of the most important posts was located at the summits of White Pass and Chilkoot Pass, where the NWMP collected customs duties on goods brought to the Yukon by gold prospectors.
Between 1898 and 1900, the Canadian government sent an additional 200 troops to assist the NWMP in guarding prisoners, banks, and gold shipments.
In recognition of NWMP's significant contributions, King Edward VII changed the name of NWMP to Royal North-West Mounted Police in 1904. Shortly thereafter, they officially became the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in 1920.
Editor's Choice: Indonesia, Canada Ink ICA-CEPA to Bolster Trade Relations
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Today's Top 3 News: Indonesian Bonded Zone in Cirebon Claimed to Absorb Over 112,000 Workers
1 jam lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Prabowo Arrives in Amsterdam, Rides Dutch Royal Family's Limousine
4 jam lalu
Indonesian President Prabowo arrived at Schiphol International Airport, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, after attending the UN General Assembly.
Police Push to Repatriate Indonesian Woman Trapped in China Human Trafficking Case
7 jam lalu
Reni Rahmawati, a resident of Sukabumi, West Java, is suspected to be a victim of human trafficking with the modus operandi of mail-order bride.
What Benefits Will Indonesia Gain from Its Trade Deal with Canada?
10 jam lalu
Indonesian government said the deal gives Canada preferential access to over 6,500 Indonesian products, covering more than 90 percent of tariff lines.
Indonesia's MBG Program Under Fire: 'It's Like Waiting for the Next Food Poisoning Outbreak'
10 jam lalu
A growing number of organizations are urging the Indonesian government to suspend the MBG program following a surge in student food poisoning cases.
Indonesia, Canada Ink ICA-CEPA to Bolster Trade Relations
19 jam lalu
Indonesia and Canada have agreed on the Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA-CEPA).
Indonesian Govt Pushes Students to Read Books Aligned with National Values
23 jam lalu
Minister of Higher Education Brian Yuliarto hopes that students will read books in line with the nation's values.
Police Confirm Affan Kurniawan Case Moves to Criminal Investigation
1 hari lalu
The General Crime Directorate of the National Police is conducting an investigation involving 12 witnesses to probe the death of online motorcycle taxi driver, Affan Kurniawan.
After Ottawa Meetings, Prabowo Continues Working Visit in Amsterdam
1 hari lalu
Prabowo departed Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport at 09:00 PM local time en route to the Netherlands.
Palace Denies Allegations of Staged Interview with US Diaspora
1 hari lalu
Indonesian Deputy State Secretary Minister Juri Ardiantoro stated that the government does not regulate interviews with the diaspora in the U.S.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5207804/original/038184700_1746272939-medium-shot-kids-with-devices.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5181816/original/042173200_1744005333-WhatsApp_Image_2025-04-07_at_12.51.02_PM.jpeg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5240017/original/024878100_1748863691-IMG_1845.jpeg)
