Jakarta (ANTARA) - The state visit of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to Singapore was warmly welcomed by Indonesian citizens (WNI) residing in the country, including students from the Indonesian School in Singapore (SIS) and university students.
According to an official statement, shortly after arriving at his hotel on Sunday evening (June 15), President Prabowo was greeted by two Indonesian children dressed in traditional Nusantara attire who enthusiastically awaited his arrival at the hotel entrance.
Not far from the entrance, a group of Indonesian university students was also gathered, eagerly waiting to welcome the president.
Prabowo responded with a warm greeting, engaging in friendly conversation and graciously accommodating requests for selfies. “Thank you, thank you,” said the president as he shook hands with each of them.
The atmosphere grew even more festive when dozens of SIS students from grades 3 to 6 lined up inside the hotel premises. Clad in blue batik uniforms bearing the SIS logo, the students waved small Indonesian flags with excitement.
With great enthusiasm, the children chanted, “Selamat datang, Bapak! Selamat datang, Bapak! Selamat datang, Bapak Presiden!” (“Welcome, Sir! Welcome, Sir! Welcome, Mr. President!”)
President Prabowo beamed as he heard their greeting. He walked toward the students, shook hands with each of them, and happily posed for photos.
“How old are you?” he asked the children.
“Ten!” they replied in unison.
“You’re already grown up. What do you want to be when you grow up?” he asked again.
“Soldier!” one of them shouted.
“Soldier?” Prabowo responded with a smile.
A student named Nailun had the opportunity to take a photo with the president. Though nervous, he expressed his excitement and offered his hopes.
“As a keepsake of meeting Mr. Prabowo. I hope you lead this country very well and keep up the spirit, Sir,” said Nailun.
The moment was also a source of pride for SIS teachers. One of them, Michael Hary, expressed his appreciation for the president’s visit.
“We are proud to welcome you in person here in Singapore. The children are even more enthusiastic about learning and building this country in the future,” said Michael.
Earlier that day, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong personally welcomed President Prabowo upon his arrival at Paya Lebar Air Base. In a gesture of high honor, PM Wong greeted the president at the foot of the airplane stairs.
On Monday, President Prabowo is scheduled to undertake several key engagements in Singapore.
He will be officially welcomed in a state ceremony by Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at Parliament House, a symbolic moment marking the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two nations. He will also pay a courtesy call on President Tharman and attend the Leaders’ Retreat with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
“These meetings reflect the deepening relationship and shared priorities between Indonesia and Singapore,” said Yusuf Permana, Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media at the Presidential Secretariat.
