When the Indonesian President Suddenly Stops by to Visit Miangas Posad

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MIANGAS – The President of Indonesia spontaneously ordered his Maung vehicle to stop while en route to his working visit location on Miangas Island, North Sulawesi, on Saturday (9/5/2026). He suddenly stopped to meet the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) soldiers guarding the Indonesian Army Post (Posad) Miangas.

As part of the President’s working visit to Miangas Island, there was no official agenda for Posad Miangas. Nevertheless, as the presidential vehicle passed by, two soldiers on guard immediately saluted. Upon seeing this, the President ordered the vehicle to be halted.

He then alighted and approached the two soldiers guarding Posad Miangas at the time. The President of Indonesia then greeted the two soldiers, namely Sergeant Two (Serda) Alan Mandibo from Combat Engineer Battalion (Yonzipur) 19/Yudha Karya Nyata and Leading Soldier Armoko from Military Resort Command (Korem) 131/Santiago.

Both had been serving on Miangas Island for 11 months, guarding Indonesia’s northernmost territory that directly borders the Philippines. Serda Alan Mandibo felt pleased to interact directly with Prabowo.

“Speaking directly with Sir makes us feel a sense of pride as soldiers ourselves. Because this is the first time we’ve met Sir in person, with a greeting, handshake, a brief chat, and also showing our barracks or post,” said Alan in a statement from the Presidential Secretariat.

From several photos released by the Presidential Secretariat, Prabowo, accompanied by the Indonesian Defence Minister, directly inspected the conditions at Posad Miangas headquarters. Prabowo also reviewed the planned activities and activity reports of the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) soldiers in Miangas, who are part of the Outer Island Security Task Force (Satgas Pam Puter).