A special moment unfolded during President Prabowo Subianto’s official meeting with Microsoft founder Bill Gates at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 7 May 2025. Bill Gates presented a whale doll to Prabowo’s cat, Bobby Kertanegara.
During the meeting, President Prabowo and Bill Gates discussed potential cooperation and the contributions of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Indonesia. After the talks, Gates met Bobby, who was being pushed in a stroller.
Photographs shared by Prabowo’s media team showed Gates approaching the cat, who remained seated in the stroller. The Microsoft founder then handed over a black-and-white whale doll to Bobby.
As a token of appreciation, Gates received a traditional kris from Prabowo as a symbolic gesture reflecting Indonesia’s cultural respect for the philanthropist, who has supported the country in various sectors since 2009.
President Prabowo later announced plans to bestow Indonesia’s highest star award upon Bill Gates for his humanitarian contributions.
“Earlier I conveyed my decision as President of the Republic of Indonesia because of his support, his help for Indonesia. But not only for Indonesia, for the benefit of humanity. I will hold an honorary board meeting,” Prabowo stated.
“I want on behalf of the Indonesian people to give our highest star to a foreign citizen because of his services to help the Indonesian people and the people of the world,” he continued.
Support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for TBC Vaccine
The President also revealed a key topic of their discussion: the tuberculosis vaccine trial currently being developed with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
“He is developing a tuberculosis vaccine for the world, but Indonesia will be one of the test sites (of the vaccine), and we know that tuberculosis takes a big toll on us, who die almost 100,000 every year,” said Prabowo at the Palace.
Moreover, President Prabowo confirmed that Bill Gates has provided a grant worth USD 159 million to Indonesia. “He has given grants to Indonesia worth 159 million US dollars,” Prabowo said, as reported by Antara.
According to the President, the funding comprises USD 119 million for health, USD 5 million for agriculture, USD 5 million for the technology sector, and over USD 28 million for other cross-sector social assistance.
“In health 119 million, agriculture 5 million, technology 5 million, other social assistance across sectors totalling more than 28 million,” he stated.
The meeting was also attended by Minister of Investment and Downstreaming Rosan Roeslani, Minister of Communication and Technology Meutya Hafid, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Cabinet Secretary Lieutenant Colonel Teddy Indra Wijaya, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, and prominent Indonesian entrepreneurs.
As reported by Kompas, notable business figures present included Abdul Rasyid (CEO of PT CBI Group), Chairul Tanjung (CT Corp), Garibaldi ‘Boy’ Thohir (PT Alamtri Resources Tbk), Hashim Djojohadikusumo (Arsari Group), and Prajogo Pangestu.
Others included Arsjad Rasjid (Indika Energy), Tomy Winata (Artha Graha Group), James Riady (Lippo Group), Anthony Salim (Salim Group), Tahir (Mayapada Group), and Andi Syamsuddin Arsyah, also known as Haji Isam (Jhonlin Group). Gates reportedly arrived at the Palace at approximately 08:15 a.m.
