30 Years of Loyalty: The Significance Behind Prabowo's Meeting with Former Kostrad-Kopassus Guards

Amid his duties managing the state as Indonesia’s eighth President, Prabowo Subianto has once again demonstrated a strong humanitarian side. On Sunday (8 March), he invited former aides and bodyguards from his military service three decades ago to his private residence at Padepokan Garuda Yaksa in Hambalang, Bogor.

The gathering was not merely a ceremonial agenda but a profound reflection on loyalty and spiritual bonds that transcend rank and political position. The meeting involved those who had accompanied Prabowo during his active service at Kostrad and Kopassus.

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, who attended the event, described the atmosphere as remarkably warm. The classically appointed wooden-panelled room at Hambalang witnessed laughter and emotion as these former soldiers recalled their intense yet memorable field deployment periods.

In military leadership studies, the relationship between a commander and aide-de-camp is considered one of the most sacred bonds. Prabowo Subianto is known for upholding the principle that “old soldiers never die, they simply fade away”, yet for him, these individuals should not be forgotten.

President Prabowo invited all his former aides and bodyguards from approximately thirty years ago, encompassing the period of his leadership in the elite units Kostrad and Kopassus.

The core message emphasised the importance of maintaining kinship and loyalty values. This also revealed Prabowo’s character of never forgetting those who fought alongside him from the beginning.

The reunion took place at President Prabowo’s private residence at Padepokan Garuda Yaksa in Hambalang, Bogor Regency, West Java.

President Prabowo’s meeting with his former aides in 2026 provides the public with a valuable lesson about the meaning of commitment. Amidst political dynamics often characterised by shifting alliances, Prabowo demonstrated that human relationships built on the foundation of service and integrity remain strong even after thirty years have passed.

This step is also viewed as a soft power strategy to strengthen solidarity within his support network, whilst sending a message to younger TNI generations about the importance of maintaining honour and relationships amongst soldiers.