TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto celebrates his 74th birthday today, October 17, 2025.
The chairman of the Gerindra Party and Indonesia’s current head of state received birthday greetings from various public figures, including former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman Zulkifli Hasan, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, and Forbes Chair and Editor-in-Chief Steve Forbes.
Early Life and Education Abroad
Prabowo Subianto was born in Jakarta on October 17, 1951, to Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, one of Indonesia’s most respected economists, and Dora Sigar. Much of his early life was spent overseas, following his family’s years in exile during Indonesia’s political turbulence.
He received his early education at Elementary School Hong Kong and the Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Later, he attended the Zurich International School in Switzerland and The American School in London, England. Upon returning to Indonesia, he enrolled at the Indonesian Military Academy (Akabri) in Magelang, Central Java, and graduated in 1974.
Military Career and East Timor Operations
After graduating as a Second Lieutenant, Prabowo joined the Army’s special forces, then known as Kopassandha, from 1976 to 1985. At the young age of 26, he led the Tim Nanggala operation in East Timor, one of Indonesia’s key military missions during that period.
His unit was tasked with capturing Nicolau dos Reis Lobato, leader of Fretilin and East Timor’s former prime minister during Operation Seroja.
By 1985, Prabowo became deputy commander of the 328th Airborne Infantry Battalion, part of the Army’s Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad).
Later, in 1991, he was appointed chief of staff of the 17th Airborne Infantry Brigade, where he played a role in operations against Fretilin guerrilla leader Xanana Gusmão.
Two years later, in 1993, Prabowo returned to the Special Forces Command (Kopassus), leading Group 3/Sandhi Yudha, a counter-insurgency unit. He later rose to become commander of Kopassus, serving under Brigadier Generals Agum Gumelar and Subagyo Hadi Siswoyo.
Rise and Fall in the Military
On March 20, 1998, Prabowo was appointed Commander of Kostrad, a prestigious post once held by his father-in-law, President Soeharto. His appointment came just days after Soeharto began his fifth term as president amid growing social unrest.
During the May 1998 riots, Prabowo requested permission from Armed Forces Commander General Wiranto to deploy Kostrad troops to Jakarta. That period marked one of the most turbulent chapters of Indonesia’s transition from the New Order era.
Later that year, the Honor Council of Officers (DKP), chaired by Wiranto, found Prabowo responsible for the abduction of pro-democracy activists. On August 24, 1998, he was discharged from military service. Soon after, Prabowo left Indonesia and spent several years abroad, primarily in Jordan.
Years in Exile and Return to Politics
During his time overseas, Prabowo’s citizenship status became uncertain, prompting intervention from Megawati Soekarnoputri, now chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP). In a 2019 speech at the State Palace, Megawati revealed that she had intervened to help restore Prabowo’s legal status, expressing frustration that a former Indonesian general had become “stateless.”
Prabowo returned to Indonesia in the 2000s and entered politics. On February 6, 2008, he founded the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), which became his main political vehicle.
Political Journey to the Presidency
Since founding Gerindra, Prabowo has run in five national elections—as both a presidential and vice-presidential candidate.
In 2009, he partnered with Megawati Soekarnoputri as her running mate, but the pair lost to Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Boediono.
In 2014, Prabowo ran for president with Hatta Rajasa but was defeated by Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Jusuf Kalla.
In 2019, Prabowo tried again, this time with Sandiaga Uno, but again lost to Jokowi, who ran with Ma’ruf Amin.
Despite three electoral defeats, Prabowo made a political comeback when President Jokowi appointed him Minister of Defense on October 23, 2019, in the Indonesia Maju Cabinet. During his tenure, he promoted defense modernization and strengthened Indonesia’s military diplomacy.
In 2024, Prabowo ran once more, this time with Gibran Rakabuming Raka, President Jokowi’s eldest son, as his vice-presidential running mate. The pair won the 2024 presidential election and were inaugurated on October 20, 2024.
As he turns 74, Prabowo marks another milestone in a career that has spanned the military, business, and politics. His rise from army officer to president reflects a trajectory shaped by decades of experience, political rivalry, and controversy within Indonesia’s evolving political landscape.
Delfi Ana Harahap, Andika Dwi, Sapto Yunus, contributed to the writing of this article.
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