Prabowo and Jokowi Reunite at Police Anniversary Ceremony Amid Growing Rift Speculation

BOGOR, Investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto and former President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) made a rare joint public appearance on Wednesday, presenting a picture of political unity after weeks of mounting speculation that Indonesia's two most influential politicians were drifting apart.

Jokowi attended the 80th anniversary ceremony of the Indonesian National Police (Polri), where Prabowo served as inspector of the ceremony at the Brimob Mobile Brigade training center in Cikeas, Bogor.

The event also brought together Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Jokowi's eldest son, National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Armed Forces Commander Gen. Agus Subiyanto, senior cabinet ministers, parliamentary leaders and former police chiefs.

The joint appearance carries political significance beyond the ceremonial event.

In recent weeks, rumors have intensified that relations between Prabowo and Jokowi had cooled after the former president remained largely absent from several key government events. Those rumors gained momentum as Jokowi began rebuilding his own political influence through the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), where his family has assumed a more prominent role.

At the same time, Prabowo's administration has come under growing economic and political pressure as investors question the fiscal implications of several flagship initiatives, particularly the nationwide Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program and the Red-and-White Village Cooperatives (KDMP) project.

Foreign investors have sold more than Rp 76 trillion (about $4.8 billion) worth of Indonesian equities so far this year, reflecting weakening confidence over fiscal discipline, while the Jakarta Composite Index has become one of the world's worst-performing major stock markets and the rupiah has remained under sustained pressure.

Against that backdrop, Wednesday's ceremony served as the clearest indication yet that channels of communication between the two political camps remain open and relations remain warm.

The appearance also follows several notable gestures from Prabowo's side. Over the past two weeks, Prabowo's son Didit Hediprasetyo visited Jokowi at his residence in Solo, while Prabowo's personal secretary Rizky Irmansyah also traveled to Solo to meet the former president. Officials described both meetings as courtesy visits, although they fueled speculation that Prabowo's camp was seeking to preserve ties with Jokowi.

Police Leadership Adds Political Weight

Jokowi's attendance also attracted attention because National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo is widely viewed as one of the former president's closest institutional allies. The two have known each other since Sigit was a mid-ranking police officer assigned to Solo during Jokowi's tenure as the city's mayor, a relationship that later culminated in Jokowi appointing him as national police chief in 2021.

Sigit has remained in the post under Prabowo's administration, preserving continuity in police leadership after the force played a central role in securing the peaceful conduct of Indonesia's 2024 presidential election.

The police have long been regarded as an important pillar of political stability in Indonesia, making symbolic displays involving the institution closely watched by political observers.

Ceremony Marks Police's 80th Anniversary

Prabowo arrived at the ceremony shortly before 8 a.m. local time wearing a dark suit, black peci cap and sunglasses. He was accompanied by Vice President Gibran, National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo and Armed Forces Commander Agus Subiyanto.

After receiving a report from the parade commander, Prabowo inspected the troops aboard a command vehicle before presiding over the ceremony.

The anniversary celebration featured a military parade, presentation of state honors, equipment displays and exhibitions of domestically produced defense and security technology.

This year's Police Day commemorations carry the theme "80 Years of Service, Police for the People," following months of community outreach activities including public health services, social assistance programs, interfaith prayers and sporting events.