President Prabowo Subianto attended the handover ceremony at the Ministry of Defense (Kemhan), Tuesday, October 22 2024. The position previously held by Pak Prabowo will be filled by Lieutenant General TNI (Ret.) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.
The handover ceremony was carried out in a military manner. Hundreds of soldiers and reserve commandos were deployed to line the field in front of the Ministry of Defense office, Jalan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta.
Prabowo arrived at the Ministry of Defense complex at 13.55. WIB. The handover ceremony was also attended by a number of state officials and retired TNI.
Mr Prabowo’s ex-wife Titiek Soeharto was also seen attending. The eldest daughter of the 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soeharto, arrived later, following Mr. Prabowo at around 14.05 WIB.
The handover of office is marked by the submission and reading of the memorandum of office. When the memorandum was read, Pak Prabowo and Sjafrie were seen climbing onto the podium of honor, facing the troops.
In his message, Prabowo wrote: “Defend the Motherland with all the strength you have, until your last breath. Faithful to the end.”
Prabowo then put his signature under the writing along with the date October 22, 2024.
When Prabowo wrote the message, it was witnessed by Minister of Defense Sjafrie, Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) Lt. Gen. TNI (Ret.) M. Herindra, and Main Director of PT Dirgantara Indonesia Gita Amperiawan.
After handing over his position, Minister of Defense Sjafrie also accompanied President Prabowo to the State Palace. Prabowo’s symbolic release marked the end of the handover ceremony for the position of Defense Minister previously held by Prabowo.
Before taking Prabowo to the palace, the two friends from the Military Academy held a closed meeting at the Ministry of Defense office. After that, Prabowo and Sjafrie immediately left the Ministry of Defense office complex. On this occasion they canceled the press conference session with media crew.
Prabowo and Sjafrie left the Ministry of Defense office in a black Pindad Maung tactical vehicle. The two of them left the Ministry of Defense complex at 15.08 WIB.
Prabowo’s release was also enlivened by marching bands and marching troops. Apart from that, Ministry of Defense employees also sent off Prabowo by lining up along Jalan Merdeka Barat carrying paper flags.