Magelang. President Prabowo Subianto led the evening parade and national flag-lowering ceremony at the Indonesian Military Academy (Akmil) in Magelang, Central Java, on Friday, riding in a tactical vehicle known as Maung as the first day of the Red and White Cabinet ministerial retreat concluded.

“Prabowo firmly encourages his ministers to resign from the cabinet if they lack integrity,” Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer told reporters. “If the ministers and their deputies disagree with what he says, they are welcome to leave.”

Immanuel underscored Prabowo's commitment to serving the nation, urging ministers to share a similar vision. He likened integrity to preventing a “rotten fish” from the head, emphasizing the need for strong character among leaders. “To avoid corruption, it starts with the leader's integrity. Prabowo is adamant about this; one of the key topics for the Cabinet is corruption prevention,” he added.

The ceremony began with a salute to President Prabowo amid heavy rain. Commander Aldrian Ahmad Effendi presented an official report before Prabowo inspected the troops from the Maung, accompanied by TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming occupied the second Maung with three TNI Chiefs of Staff, while Chief Security Affairs Minister Budi Gunawan and other ministers rode in the third Maung. The fourth Maung included Chief Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto and other key officials.

After the troop inspection, Prabowo led a moment of silence before the solemn lowering of the Red and White flag. Following the ceremony, he returned to the podium to enjoy a performance by the Lokananta marching band, entertaining all attendees, including members of the Red and White Cabinet.

The ceremony was part of the Red and White Cabinet retreat agenda, which includes training and guidance for all Cabinet members at Akmil. 

Earlier in the day, during the retreat's opening, Prabowo clarified that his approach is not to impose a militaristic mindset but to inspire discipline and loyalty among his ministers.

“The Red and White Cabinet Retreat is essential for aligning the discipline and loyalty of the cabinet toward the nation,” Prabowo stated, explaining that this initiative embodies “The Military Way,” a method applied in both governments and corporations.

“I am not here to make you militaristic; that’s a misconception. Many governments and corporations have adopted The Military Way. The core values are discipline and loyalty—not to me, but to the Indonesian nation and people,” he said.

The cabinet retreat in Magelang is set to run from October 25 to 27, 2024, with 120 tents prepared to accommodate 109 cabinet members. Dressed in military uniforms, the ministers have received training in drill formations, along with sessions on anti-corruption, development planning, budget structuring, and bureaucratic planning.