Down the Rabbit Hole of Prabowo’s Personal Retreat Fund!
The Big Reveal
Oh, what a twist in the political saga of Indonesia! Reports have surfaced that President Prabowo Subianto decided to spare his opulent treasury and instead dig into his own pockets to finance a retreat for members of the Red and White Cabinet at the military academy in Magelang, Central Java. Apparently, Gerindra Party’s Daily Chair, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, confirmed this little tidbit. Who knew politics could involve such an unexpected generosity?
Independent Financing or Political Showboating?
Dasco insists there’s nothing wrong with the president using personal funds for state activities. “Hey, it’s not illegal!” he said, perhaps a little too eagerly. But let’s peel back the layers; when a president pays for a party retreat, one can’t help but wonder if that’s just a clever ruse to look like the “man of the people.” Hands up if you think he’s gunning for an award in the ‘Selfless Politician’ category!
The Military Way: Just Another Marketing Catchphrase?
Prabowo, quite the character, dubbed the retreat “The Military Way.” Now that’s a branding strategy if ever there was one! He emphasized the essence of discipline and loyalty—asking his cabinet to be loyal not just to him but to the state. Excuse me while I grab my torch and pitchfork; we are about to enter a modern-day fairy tale!
Wait, Is That Even Allowed?
Typically, one might think the treasury should shoulder the financial burden of government retreats. Well, Prabowo says, “Hold my beer” and ignores that convention entirely. His reasoning? The retreat was planned before he took office, so naturally—using government funds would simply be a faux pas, right? Because nothing says “I care” like a personal bank statement!
Proof, In The Form of Assets
Let’s not forget Prabowo’s reported personal wealth of over IDR 2 trillion (that’s about $140 million, folks!). With an asset portfolio that sings the songs of land, transport machinery, and something called “cash equivalents,” it truly begs the question: is this a retreat or a lavish party funded by Mr. Subianto himself?
Training with a Twist?
The retreat, held from October 24 to 27, focused on *thrilling topics* like preventing corruption and development planning! Truly riveting, I can already hear the snoring echoing through the halls of the academy. But fear not, our dear cabinet members were trained to ‘galvanize’! What a fancy way of saying everyone was probably united in their quest to stay awake.
Conclusion
So what does it all mean? A personal-paid retreat speaks volumes—whether it hails from generosity or a clever political maneuver is up for debate. But one thing’s for sure; Prabowo is redefining the fiscal engagement handbook one retreat at a time, and I dare say it’s quite the spectacle.
Stay tuned, as this political thriller continues to unfold. And remember, in the land of politics, sometimes the personal really is the new professional!
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto is reported to have personally funded the retreat activities for the members of the Red and White Cabinet, held at the Military Academy (Akmil) in Magelang, Central Java. This information was verified by Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, the Daily Chair of the Gerindra Party.
Dasco confirmed, “Indeed, as far as I know, the financing is independent,” in a statement to the press on Monday, October 28, 2024.
He added, “There’s nothing inappropriate about occasionally utilizing personal funds for organizing such activities, especially when it involves critical governmental briefings.”
Previously, President Prabowo articulated that the retreat at the Magelang Military Academy adheres to what he termed ‘The Military Way’, a framework traditionally employed within governmental structures. He emphasized, “At the core of all organizations is discipline and loyalty. We urge you not to be loyal to Prabowo as a person but to the integrity of our nation and the state of Indonesia.”
Delving deeper into the implications of using personal funds for government-related retreats raises questions about the standard practices concerning government financing. Typically, government activities are financed through state budgets, as defined by Bpkk.bandaacehkota.go.id, which encompasses all financial transactions performed by the government, including both revenues and expenditures.
On contrasting sides, President Prabowo Subianto took the initiative to cover the costs of the retreat from his own pocket. According to Hasan Nasbi, the Head of the Presidential Communications Office, preparations for the cabinet retreat were undertaken a month prior to Prabowo’s official appointment as President.
In a message directed to journalists, Hasan Nasbi explained, “This activity was prepared well in advance of his inauguration. Therefore, funding came solely from Pak Prabowo himself,” dispelling any notion of utilizing state resources for the retreat, especially as Prabowo was serving as the Minister of Defense at that time.
Minister for Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, Abdul Kadir Karding, echoed this sentiment, confirming that Prabowo personally financed the training activities for his cabinet members. “Pak Prabowo is indeed financing it all himself,” he stated in Jakarta on Sunday, October 27, 2024, as reported by Between.
The retreat, initiated by Prabowo Subianto, occurred behind closed doors at the Magelang Military Academy from October 24 to 27, 2024. During this period, cabinet members were engaged in extensive training on crucial topics, including strategies for preventing corruption, development planning, budget policy formulation, and bureaucratic implementation.
In a written statement released on Friday, October 25, 2024, Prabowo clarified that the agenda for the Red and White Cabinet’s retreat at the Magelang Military Academy was not structured to be militaristic in nature. His primary intent was to unify and equip all ministers and deputy ministers with essential skills and guidance.
Notably, President Prabowo possesses significant assets, reportedly valued at IDR 2,042,682,732,691, or approximately IDR 2.04 trillion, as of April 5, 2024. According to data from the State Administrator’s Wealth Report (e-LHKPN), his portfolio includes land and buildings worth IDR 275,320,450,000, machinery and transportation equipment valued at IDR 1,258,500,000, additional movable assets at IDR 16,415,023,500, securities totaling IDR 1,701,879,000,000, and cash reserves amounting to IDR 47,809,759,191.
KHUMAR MAHENDRA | MELYNDA DWI PUSPITA | NEW WATER NUGROHO | BETWEEN | BPKK.BANDAACEHKOTA.GO.ID
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