Jakarta. Migrant Worker Protection Minister Abdul Kadir Karding recently revealed that President Prabowo Subianto entirely paid for the military-style cabinet retreat in Magelang using his own money.

Prabowo recently sent all members of his Merah Putih (‘Red and White’) cabinet for some briefing and military training on Oct. 24-27 in an attempt to build better teamwork. All cabinet members even had to dress in military uniforms -- just like an actual soldier. According to Abdul, Prabowo used his personal funds to have his cabinet members on the retreat. The statement also dispelled rumors that the government had spent the state money to fund the event.

“Yes, it’s true. Mr. Prabowo [paid for the retreat] using his own money,” Karding told reporters on Sunday.

The retreat took place at the Magelang military academy and was only a few days after the ministers took office. It was also not without reason for Prabowo to pick the academy, which lies near Tidar Valley, for the training. Prabowo even had his cabinet members climb up the hill on the last day. At a gala dinner during the retreat, Prabowo said that Tidar Valley held a historical value for Indonesians. The place witnessed Indonesia’s struggle against colonialism. The former army general also called Tidar Valley as the “center of Indonesian chivalry”.

“Almost all cadets and alumni of the military academy, including the national police force, have climbed Mount Tidar, either voluntarily or because of punishment. This is the center of true chivalry," Prabowo said. 

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