Eight Special Guests Greeted by Prabowo at Annual MPR Joint Session

President Prabowo Subianto personally greeted eight special guests during the MPR Annual Session and Joint Session of the DPR and DPD, marking a departure from previous years. The surprise had been hinted at earlier by Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, who urged the public to watch the full speech rather than rely on short clips on social media. The guests, dressed in traditional attire, were citizens who have directly benefited from various government programmes, including Sekolah Rakyat, Free Nutritious Meals, and the ATENSI social assistance scheme. During his address, Prabowo spoke briefly with each individual. Among them was Joko Purnomo, a farmer from Ngawi, East Java, who reported that subsidised fertiliser had enabled him to harvest rice three times a year with a yield of nine tonnes per hectare. Kristina Beno, a primary school student from Merauke, South Papua, said the free meals programme had improved her health and school attendance. Muhammad Risky Pratama, a 12-year-old from Medan who had previously dropped out of school to sell fish, is now studying at a Sekolah Rakyat. Citra Nur Ramadhani from Pangkajene and Islands, South Sulawesi, nearly dropped out of school to help her disabled mother sell peanuts but has since returned and won a district-level karate championship. Susanah from Bogor, a daily labourer peeling onions, said the Family Hope Programme and Sembako Programme helped support her children’s education. Margarelitha Rohi from Kupang, who never attended school, received ATENSI social assistance in the form of rice and cooking oil. Thelma Humena from Manado had her previously dilapidated house repaired through the BSPS programme. Finally, Andre Kawaru from Samarinda, a rabbit trader who once lived in rented accommodation, was able to purchase his own home through the subsidised FLPP mortgage scheme.