Cavalry Escort Australian PM to Merdeka Palace
Reporter
February 6, 2026 | 10:25 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived at the Merdeka Palace, Jalan Medan Merdeka Utara, Jakarta as part of a state visit on Thursday morning, February 6th, 2026. President Prabowo Subianto welcomed Albanese's arrival.
Albanese arrived at the Merdeka Palace in a car at around 9:00 AM local time. The vehicle left the Raffles Hotel in Karet Kuningan, South Jakarta, where Albanese was staying, and headed to the Merdeka Palace via Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat.
A cavalry unit escorted Albanese's car as it entered Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat. Dozens of cavalry soldiers escorted the Australian Prime Minister's vehicle from the front and back. Additionally, 17 motorbike guards accompanied Albanese at the front.
Upon passing through the gates of the Merdeka Palace, Albanese was welcomed by a line-up of honor guards on the left and right sides of the entrance road. President Prabowo greeted Albanese in his car upon disembarking.
They then witnessed the Naikonos Lari Dance before climbing the stairs to the entrance of the Merdeka Palace. The dance originates from East Nusa Tenggara.
The reception process for Albanese continued with the national anthems of each country, accompanied by drumbeats. The two leaders then introduced their respective delegations to each other.
Prabowo appeared to guide Albanese in shaking hands with his entourage. Among them were Foreign Minister Sugiono, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Investment and Downstream Industry Minister Rosan Roeslani, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, and Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Siswo Pramono.
Then, Albanese introduced Prabowo to his delegation. Among them were Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Rod Brazier, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and the Chief International Advisor of the Australian PM's Office.
After introducing their respective entourages, Prabowo and Albanese entered the Merdeka Palace. They briefly chatted before continuing with their private meeting agenda.
Albanese is scheduled to be in Indonesia for three days from February 5 to 7, 2026. Albanese and Prabowo are scheduled to sign a bilateral security treaty during this visit.
This is Albanese's second visit to Indonesia during Prabowo's presidency. In May 2025, Albanese made Jakarta the destination of his first foreign visit one day after being re-elected as the Prime Minister of Australia. Since becoming Prime Minister in 2022, Albanese has visited Indonesia five times.
Prabowo then reciprocated Albanese's visit by traveling to Australia on November 11, 2025. During the one-day state visit, Albanese and Prabowo held a private meeting.
Read: Australian PM Anthony Albanese Arrives in Jakarta
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