Source: “Prabowo: Rekam Foto Sang Patriot,” pages 174-197
Who is Prabowo Subianto? Above all, Prabowo is a compassionate animal lover, a devoted father, an avid reader and writer, and a passionate sports enthusiast.
But beyond these roles, Prabowo is a true knight whose life is dedicated to the people who need his leadership. He embodies the spirit of an Indonesian patriot. Since entering the military academy in 1970, he has had no days off; every day is a working day dedicated to Indonesia’s sovereignty, strength, and honor.
Prabowo’s love for animals is evident. He lives with hundreds of animals at his home in Bojong Koneng, Bogor, West Java—from goats and cows to birds and horses. Among all his pets, Prabowo shares a special bond with his cat Bobby, who lives on Jalan Kertanegara in Jakarta. Besides Bobby, Prabowo also cares for three cats at the Ministry of Defense office, found in the attic and named Mika, Miki, and Miko.
Prabowo married Titiek Soeharto in 1983, and they have a son, Ragowo Hediprasetyo, also known as Didit. Known globally as a designer, Didit’s creations have graced many international fashion shows, including the Paris Fashion Week. He has even designed for BMW.
An insatiable reader, Prabowo believes that a leader must be a reader. His home houses a collection of over 10,000 books covering a wide range of topics from philosophy and religion to biography, politics, military affairs, and design.
As a genuine bibliophile who once served as Editor-in-Chief for his high school magazine, Prabowo is also a prolific writer. He has authored at least ten books, with his latest on military leadership becoming a bestseller in Indonesia.
One lesser-known hobby of Prabowo’s is his love for going undercover. Preferring not to be followed by cameras or to use his car, he often rides motorcycles, dons sunglasses, a mask, and rarely worn clothes. With his background in special forces, he believes that disguising himself is the best way to truly understand the on-ground realities.
When mingling with the public, Prabowo maintains no distance from the people, especially children. His interactions with young ones are marked by genuine warmth and frequent smiles.
Many might picture Prabowo as a stern general; however, behind the scenes, he is humorous, approachable, and genuine. He enjoys singing and dancing.
It’s a common misconception that Prabowo isn’t media-friendly. In truth, he is intensely focused on his work and speaks only when necessary. He holds a deep respect for the media as a pillar of democracy and engages with them at the right moments.
Since starting at the military academy in 1970, Prabowo has rarely taken a complete day off. For him, every day is an opportunity to serve the nation. However, on the rare days he does take a break, Prabowo enjoys reconnecting with nature and the indigenous communities, such as the Baduy people in Banten.
