Prabowo Thanks Bill Gates for $159 Million Grant to Indonesia

Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto revealed that the Gates Foundation, the philanthropy founded by one of the world’s richest people, Bill Gates, had provided Indonesia $159 million in grants, most going to the health sector over the past years.
Prabowo is currently hosting Gates in Jakarta as the latter seeks to expand the foundation’s Southeast Asian presence. Prabowo thanked the American billionaire for his organization’s substantial financial support, including a Rp 1.3 trillion ($78.6 million) funding to tackle the infectious disease polio. Gates has worked with the state-run pharmaceutical firm Biofarma to produce polio vaccines that are also shipped to 42 other countries.
“I told the floor that you [Gates] have assisted us directly in direct donations of more than $159 million since 2009. Most of the [money] went to health … and especially vaccines,” Prabowo said in a room full of major Indonesian philanthropies and ministers.
About $119 million from Gates’ philanthropy had gone to backing Indonesia’s health sector. Gates rolled out a total of $5 million in grants to the agriculture sector, while the same amount of funding went to technologies, according to Prabowo’s estimates. The Gates Foundation is currently funding a malaria vaccine development with the trials set to take place in Indonesia. The Southeast Asian country also hosts some of the Gates Foundation’s tuberculosis vaccine trials.
“We look forward to a breakthrough in malaria and tuberculosis [vaccines], which I think will not be too far in the future,” Prabowo said.
Prabowo intends to give the technocrat the highest civilian award to recognize his commitment to humanitarian causes not only in Indonesia but also around the world. The awarding is set to take place in September when Prabowo flies to New York for the UN General Assembly. During the high-profile talks, Gates unveiled some new plans for Indonesia, including tools to address anemia among women.
“Indonesia is very serious about malnutrition. We have a number of proven tools, such as multiple micronutrient supplements, that pregnant mothers can take. … A lot of women have anemia. … The foundation also has an approach where you can just go in one time and get an infusion for the anemia. Over the next year or two, we will come up with a plan to roll that out in Indonesia,” Gates said.
Tags: Keywords:Related Articles
Indonesia Eyes Tourism Surge with Phuket, Bangkok Flights to Medan, Surabaya
Prabowo Welcomes New Thailand-Indonesia Flights to Boost Tourism and TradeIndonesia, Thailand Sign Health Pact as COVID Cases Surge in Bangkok
Indonesia and Thailand sign a health MoU in Bangkok as COVID-19 cases rise, aiming to strengthen pandemic readiness and health systems.Indonesia, Thailand Sign Health Pact as COVID Cases Surge in Bangkok
Indonesia and Thailand sign a health MoU in Bangkok as COVID-19 cases rise, aiming to strengthen pandemic readiness and health systems.Indonesia Says Yes to Thailand Joining BRICS
Thailand is already a partner country to BRICS, and is now seeking to become the group's full member -- a plan that Indonesia supports.Prabowo: No Second Term If I Fail the First
Prabowo says he won’t seek re-election in 2029 if his first term fails to deliver, setting targets for 8% growth and food self-sufficiency.Prabowo Vows Relentless War on Graft Despite Threats to Law Enforcers
Prabowo vows to fight corruption “without fear” despite threats to law enforcers, citing major progress in asset recovery in first 6 months.Indonesia, China Eye Stronger Strategic Partnership at 75th Anniversary
President Prabowo met China’s envoy to discuss stronger ties as both countries mark 75 years of diplomatic relations.Underrated Indonesia-Australia Ties
There is vast potential at stake for two neighbours to deepen their undervalued partnership.Danantara to Explore Partnership with Australia's Future Fund
Australia's Anthony Albanese also promises to help Danantara join the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IFSWF).Promising TB Vaccine Backed by Bill Gates to Be Tested on 2,000 Indonesians
Indonesia has a strong interest in joining the trial due to the nation’s high TB rates and genetic considerations in vaccine efficacy.The Latest
Indonesian Sovereign Fund Danantara to Partner with China, Japan, Malaysia
Danantara's boss Rosan Roeslani says that the fund will sign the agreement in the coming weeks.Bank Indonesia Cuts 2025 Growth Forecast After Weak Q1 Performance
Bank Indonesia cuts 2025 growth forecast to 4.6–5.4 pct due to weak Q1 data and global slowdown, urges stronger domestic demand policies.It Can Be Hard for ASEAN to Set Common Negotiation Plan on US Tariffs
An economist says that each ASEAN member is at a different stage of development, making a common US tariff negotiation plan impossible.Tone-Deaf Rice Comment Costs Japan's Minister His Job
Japan's farm minister resigns after saying he never buys rice, triggering public backlash as prices soar and elections loom.Bank Indonesia Cuts Benchmark Rate by 25 Basis Points to 5.5 Pct
Bank Indonesia cuts benchmark rate by 25 bps to 5.5% to support growth, citing stable inflation and manageable rupiah pressures.Most Popular
