Prabowo Jests with Cabinet: 'Your Hair Was Fine, Now You're Going Bald After 18 Months'

President Prabowo Subianto joked that members of his Red and White Cabinet are starting to go bald after serving for approximately 18 months. He made the remarks during the closing of the National Sarasehan Science, Technology, and Industry Convention in Jakarta on Sunday (28/6). One of the cabinet members he singled out was the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto. “I’ve noticed that some of my aides, when they were first inaugurated, still had nice hair. After 18 months, they’re getting balder. I’ve noticed that Pak Brian’s hairline is receding further upwards,” Prabowo said. The President also directed a similar jest at BPI Danantara Chief Operating Officer Dony Oskaria. He noted that Danantara is now playing a role in helping state-owned enterprises generate profits and expressed his gratitude for this. “Look, he’s already going bald too,” Prabowo quipped as Dony stood to acknowledge the greeting. On the same occasion, Prabowo admitted he would be happier to meet more frequently with academics, including university rectors. He even stated that, if possible, he would like to hold routine monthly meetings with them. Prabowo also promised to follow up on the input provided by the rectors. “Indeed, I need to meet with intelligent people. I feel sorry for some professors living around Jakarta who are constantly being summoned back and forth. I hear they check their phones every two hours. Even those in Bandung have no excuse now because of the ‘Whoosh’ high-speed train. If summoned, they can be in Jakarta in 45 minutes, right?” he said.