Indonesia President Prabowo turns lush, private sanctuary into command outpost

January 16, 2026

Since becoming president more than a year ago, Prabowo has moved most of his work from his palace in Jakarta to his private residence in Hambalang, a 4-hectare area nestled in the hills of Bogor, West Java, and surrounded by woodland.

Hambalang Estate, about 60 kilometers from Jakarta, has been his refuge for years, even before he became president, allowing him to maintain some distance from the capital’s daily political chaos.

Despite the unusual circumstances, Hambalang hosted a series of official presidential events, including marathon meetings with ministers, a gathering with members of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), discussions with leaders of Muslim groups and a visit by the British education envoy.

Earlier this month, the President hosted a leadership retreat for more than 100 cabinet members in Hambalang, during which he briefed them on this year’s priority agenda and announced the establishment of a task force to accelerate Sumatra’s post-disaster recovery and reconstruction.

“I convened this meeting with the intention, first, to take stock of our work over the past year, and second, to understand where our country stands amid global dynamics and turmoil,” Prabowo said in a speech to the Cabinet on January 6.

Hambalang also serves as the command post for important orders. Last August, during the largest and most violent street protests in Prabowo’s early days as president, Prabowo held an emergency meeting with police and military chiefs at his official residence and instructed them to take decisive action against rioters and looters.

The estate also played a role in his diplomatic activities. For example, last May, Prabowo invited Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to go horse riding in Hambarang, a move that analysts at the time said highlighted the personal touch in interactions between the two countries.

Even before taking office, he occasionally used Hambalang to party with politicians from his Gerindra party.

Analysts said Prabowo’s tendency to hold events at his residence reflects his “personalized” approach to governance, which “shifts the center of power from formal state offices to spaces closely tied to his personal authority.”

“Hampalang is where he fully expresses himself,” said Agung Baskoro, an analyst at the think tank Trias Politika Strategis. He added that the location allowed Prabowo to “transmit his leadership values ​​and experience” directly to cabinet members and visiting officials in an environment free from state protocol.

“His discipline, interest in horseback riding, reading habits and even his famous Hambalang coffee were all part of his personal life and visitors, including cabinet members, can fully see this there,” Agong said.

Wasisto Raharjo Jati, an analyst at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), said the trend reflected a long-standing pattern of Indonesian leaders with military backgrounds who often displayed “personalization of power,” including turning private homes into command centers.

“Hanbalang is just the latest example,” Vasisto said, citing the examples of former presidents Suharto and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, whose presidencies were closely tied to their private residences, such as Suharto’s Sendana Palace and Yudhoyono’s Prisikes.

“This pattern is rare among civilian leaders,” he said, noting that former presidents B.J. Habibie and Megawati Sukarnoputri rarely used their private residences to conduct state affairs.

Beyond symbolism, Vasisto also highlighted practical considerations, noting that Hambalang’s distance from the political hubbub of Jakarta provides a more controlled and comfortable environment for strategic discussions that may be sensitive in nature.

State Secretary Prasetio Hadi did not respond to questions about why Prabowo frequently held official events in Hambalang.