Thursday | May 29, 2025
Jakarta, Indonesia — President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia was awarded France’s highest civilian and military honor, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, by French President Emmanuel Macron during a ceremonial event at the Indonesian Military Academy in Magelang, Central Java, on Thursday.
The momentous occasion was broadcast live through the Indonesian Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel, allowing the public to witness the prestigious award ceremony. The event began with a formal troop inspection conducted jointly by Presidents Prabowo and Macron as part of a welcoming ceremony for the visiting French head of state.
Following the troop inspection, a member of the French delegation formally pinned the insignia of the Legion of Honour onto President Prabowo’s left chest, symbolizing the conferral of the award. President Macron then officially declared that the French Government had bestowed the Grand Cross on President Prabowo, recognizing his contributions to bilateral relations and strategic defense cooperation between France and Indonesia.
In accordance with tradition, Macron personally presented Prabowo with a red ceremonial sash, the hallmark of the Grand Cross rank. The two leaders then shared a handshake and posed for official photographs, marking the solemnity and warmth of the occasion.
The Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour (Grand Croix de la Légion d’honneur) is France’s most prestigious distinction. Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, it is awarded to both military and civilian individuals who have rendered exceptional service to France or upheld its values abroad.
After the ceremony, Presidents Prabowo and Macron toured the Indonesian Military Academy, where they visited the language laboratory and observed programs related to military education and training, underscoring the growing defense cooperation between the two nations.
Later in the day, the two leaders were scheduled to visit the Borobudur Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest Buddhist temple in the world, symbolizing Indonesia’s cultural heritage and religious diversity.
President Macron’s visit to Magelang marked the final leg of his state visit to Indonesia, which took place from May 27 to 29. This historic trip is notably the first visit by a European Union head of state since Prabowo Subianto was inaugurated as President of Indonesia.
Indonesia is part of Macron’s broader Indo-Pacific tour, which began with a visit to Vietnam. Following his engagements in Indonesia, President Macron is scheduled to continue his journey to Singapore, further highlighting France’s commitment to strengthening relations in the region.
Prior to the visit to Central Java, President Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron were formally received by President Prabowo at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, where both leaders discussed bilateral cooperation in areas ranging from defense and trade to climate change and cultural exchange.