Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has instructed regents and mayors against mobilizing schoolchildren to greet him during his working visits to the regions. He ordered the Cabinet Secretary, Teddy Indra Wijaya, to issue a relevant circular.
"I would like to urge all local leaders across Indonesia, including district heads and mayors, against mobilizing schoolchildren when I visit your regions," he said while giving a speech at the inauguration of the Kabanaran Bridge in Yogyakarta on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
Prabowo admitted to seeing schoolchildren lining up the roads while he was heading to the inaugural site. Although appreciative, the head of state said he felt sorry for the children who stood under the scorching sun for a long time. Thus, he requested for the children to focus on their studies at school.
"After all, they can see me on TV if they want, and I can simply visit them in classrooms if I were to check on them," Prabowo said.
Prabowo said he's happy to see the children's faces if they wait for a short while in reasonable weather. "It gives me more spirit, makes me feel younger, but I feel sorry for them waiting for a long time under the scorching sun," he said.
He's also worried that the children's study hours will be reduced while waiting for the head of state, admitting that he would not be able to greet them personally. "Sometimes my convoy moves quickly and I don't have time to stop and greet them," Prabowo said.
Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo said the inauguration today launched several facilities, namely the Kabanaran Bridge, Sambas River Bridge in West Kalimantan, Gatot Subroto Underpass in Medan, Canggung Flyover in Magelang, and Jogo Underpass in Solo.
The Kabanaran Bridge was chosen as the central location for the inauguration due to its historical significance. This area was the former headquarters of Prince Mangkubumi, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono I, when he fought against the Dutch in Kabanaran Village.
"The heroic and solidarity values of this location are what we want to revive. The spirit of Prince Mangkubumi's struggle, who at that time was named Sunan Kabanaran, was awarded on December 11, 1749," he said in his speech as observed on the President's Secretariat's YouTube channel.