The President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, presented the Bintang Jasa Utama order to Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates - the country's highest state award for his services. The ceremony took place on September 23rd in New York, right after Prabowo's speech at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.
The main reason is the scale of the aid. According to Indonesia's Ministry of Health, Gates has directly donated over 7 trillion rupiahs (about USD 500 million) to the country. These funds have been used for agricultural research, seed development, and the production of vaccines and medicines. The real impact is even greater: considering both direct funding and the indirect results of Gates' projects, the total benefit for Indonesia is estimated at around USD 4.5 billion. For comparison, this is more than the annual budget of Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture.
Through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Indonesia receives systematic support ranging from the development of new vaccines to educational programs. Gates funds research to improve the nutrition and health of the population and helps make technology and banking services more accessible to ordinary people. In May 2025, he personally visited Jakarta to discuss sustainable development projects. Along with President Prabowo Subianto, he reviewed the implementation of the free comprehensive nutrition program for schoolchildren.
The Bintang Jasa Utama award, or the Order of Distinguished Stars, is rarely given to foreigners. It is a sign of recognition for contributions to the Indonesian people. Prabowo emphasized that the decision to award the Microsoft founder was carefully considered and dictated by the extent of the benefits Indonesia received from Gates' projects.
Currently, according to the president, the state investment fund Danantara is negotiating with Gates' foundation on new joint initiatives. These involve programs to support vulnerable groups, combat poverty and hunger, and expand access to education.
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