Prabowo Subianto Arrives in Washington D.C., Welcomed by Hundreds of Indonesian Citizens
Washington, D.C. — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto landed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland at 4:10 p.m. local time on Sunday, November 10. His arrival in the United States marks the continuation of his international tour, following his recent visit to Beijing, China.
Warm Reception from Indonesian Officials and Citizens in the U.S.
Prabowo was welcomed by several high-ranking officials, including U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir, Indonesian Chargé d’Affaires I Bagus Made Bimantara, and Defense Attaché Marsma TNI Wisoko Aribowo. Their presence added to the lively atmosphere as Prabowo arrived in Washington, D.C.
Additionally, hundreds of Indonesian citizens, from students to families residing in the U.S., gathered with enthusiasm to greet Prabowo, some waiting hours to witness this significant moment.
“It was amazing! My husband, friends, and I waited here for three hours. I even got to shake his hand, though I couldn’t get a selfie,” said Susan Togas, one of the Indonesian expatriates. “But I did manage a few selfies with Mas Didit [Prabowo’s son]. It was so exciting!”
Excitement Among Indonesian Students to Meet Prabowo
Indonesian students in particular were notably enthusiastic, cheering Prabowo’s name as he arrived at his hotel.
“Mr. Prabowo, can we get a picture?” called some students, hoping to capture the moment.
Prabowo responded warmly, taking the time to shake hands, chat briefly, and pose for photos.
“Are you students?” he asked, engaging with them in a friendly way.
Bella, a master’s student in Strategy, Cyber Security, and Intelligence at Johns Hopkins University, admitted feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness meeting Prabowo in person for the first time. She hopes that Prabowo’s visit will enhance Indonesia’s capabilities in cybersecurity and defense.
“Since my focus is on cybersecurity, I hope that with Pak Prabowo’s defense background, he can elevate Indonesia’s cybersecurity capabilities. We need stronger resources to address cybersecurity issues effectively,” Bella explained.
Hopes for Progress in Education and Sports
Zudika Siahaan, a Ph.D. candidate in Electrical Engineering at Johns Hopkins, shared similar enthusiasm. Despite the two-hour wait, he felt it was all worth it.
“We started waiting around 3 p.m., and Pak Prabowo arrived around 5:30, but it was worth it. I even got to ask him for a picture!” he said with excitement.
Zudika hopes Prabowo’s visit will inspire significant achievements for Indonesia on the global stage, particularly in education and sports.
“In the coming years, I hope Indonesia can reach major milestones, like winning an Oscar or seeing our national soccer team qualify for the World Cup. That would be incredible for our international recognition,” he added.
Aspiring for Research and Technology Advancement in Indonesia
Muhammad Yusuf Atthariq Azof, a master’s student in Biotechnology, expressed his gratitude for Prabowo’s safe arrival in the U.S. He hopes the visit will drive Indonesia’s growth in research and technology fields.
“We’re so happy to welcome Pak Prabowo here. Thank God he arrived safely,” said Muhammad Yusuf.
“My hope is for Indonesia’s research community to grow stronger and that more young people are encouraged to pursue advanced studies, especially in research. We need to increase our expertise and involvement in this area for a brighter future,” he added.