At Jakarta’s Merdeka Palace, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Bill Gates, co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, met to discuss groundbreaking tuberculosis (TB) vaccine trials in Indonesia. With TB claiming nearly 100,000 lives annually in the country, this collaboration aims to address a pressing public health crisis while sparking global hope for a new vaccine.
A Landmark Meeting at Merdeka Palace
On May 7, 2025, President Prabowo welcomed Bill Gates at Merdeka Palace for a two-hour discussion on global health initiatives, with a focus on TB vaccine trials. The meeting, attended by key Indonesian ministers and business leaders, highlighted Indonesia’s role as a clinical trial site for the M72/AS01E vaccine, funded by the Gates Foundation. “Indonesia has been appointed as one of the trial sites. TB claims many lives—nearly 100,000 people die each year,” Prabowo stated, emphasizing the government’s commitment to reducing TB mortality through free health screenings and vaccine development (ANTARA News).
[](https://en.antaranews.com/amp/news/354253/bill-gates-prabowo-discuss-tb-vaccine-trials-in-indonesia)Gates confirmed that two undisclosed locations in Indonesia will host Phase 3 trials, following successful Phase 2b results in South Africa, Kenya, and Zambia, which showed 54% efficacy in reducing TB cases (Tempo English). “We are conducting trials in Africa, India, and here. We are really looking forward to the results,” Gates said, noting TB prevention as a priority alongside vaccines for malaria, pneumonia, HPV, and diarrhea.
[](https://en.antaranews.com/amp/news/354253/bill-gates-prabowo-discuss-tb-vaccine-trials-in-indonesia)
Indonesia’s TB Crisis and Vaccine Potential
Indonesia ranks among the highest in global TB incidence, with 969,000 new cases in 2023, according to the World Health Organization. The M72/AS01E vaccine, developed by GSK and supported by the Gates Foundation, could be a game-changer. Over 2,000 Indonesians have participated in clinical trials, which adhere to strict safety protocols under Indonesia’s BPOM and global standards (CNN Indonesia). Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin emphasized that Indonesia’s inclusion benefits both local and global health efforts.
[](https://en.tempo.co/read/2005127/house-member-says-no-reason-to-oppose-bill-gates-tb-vaccine-trial-in-indonesia)However, some skepticism persists. Posts on X have raised ethical concerns, with users like @bulebitcoin questioning whether Indonesia is being used as a “testing ground” for Western pharma, citing the Gates Foundation’s $159 million in grants since 2009 (X post). These concerns echo past controversies, such as the 2009 HPV trials in India, though no direct harm was proven. Indonesian officials, including House member Irma Suryani, assert the vaccine’s safety and public health value, noting Prabowo’s commitment to rigorous oversight.
[](https://en.tempo.co/read/2005127/house-member-says-no-reason-to-oppose-bill-gates-tb-vaccine-trial-in-indonesia)The Gates Foundation claims it’s aiming to combat tuberculosis. As Gates pushes this dangerous vaccine forward, questions arise about its safety, efficacy, and the broader implications for public health worldwide.
Antara News reports: “He is developing a TB vaccine for the world, and Indonesia has been appointed as one of the trial sites. TB claims many lives—nearly 100,000 people die each year,” Prabowo said in a statement on Wednesday.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to reducing the TB mortality rate, which is being addressed through several initiatives, including free health screenings.
“Bill Gates has shown strong commitment and continues to support us in TB prevention, along with the development of a malaria vaccine,” the president remarked.
During the meeting, Gates confirmed that two locations in Indonesia have been designated as clinical trial sites for the TB vaccine.
He explained that the trials will support the development of a vaccine suited for countries with high TB incidence rates.
“We are conducting trials in Africa, India, and here (in Indonesia). We are really looking forward to the results,” he said.
Gates noted that TB prevention is a major focus of his foundation’s work, alongside the development of vaccines for pneumonia, HPV, malaria, and diarrhea.
President Prabowo welcomed Gates at the Merdeka Palace at around 8:00 a.m. local time. Their meeting lasted approximately two hours.
Several ministers were present, including Minister of Investment Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
Prabowo also introduced Gates to several prominent Indonesian business figures, including Chairul Tanjung, Haji Abdul Rasyid, Garibaldi Thohir, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Prajogo Pangestu, Arsjad Rasjid, Tomy Winata, James Riady, Anthony Salim, Dato’ Sri Tahir, and Haji Isam.
Gado-Gado: A Taste of Indonesian Culture
To celebrate Indonesia’s vibrant culture amid this global health milestone, here’s a recipe for Gado-Gado, a traditional vegetable salad with peanut sauce.
Gado-Gado Recipe
- Ingredients:
- 200g cabbage, shredded
- 200g bean sprouts, blanched
- 2 boiled eggs, sliced
- 150g tofu, fried and cubed
- 150g tempeh, fried and sliced
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 100g peanuts, roasted and ground
- 2 tbsp palm sugar
- 1 tbsp tamarind paste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp shrimp paste (optional)
- 200ml water
- Salt and chili to taste
- Instructions:
- Arrange cabbage, bean sprouts, eggs, tofu, tempeh, and cucumber on a plate.
- For the sauce, blend peanuts, garlic, palm sugar, tamarind paste, shrimp paste, and chili. Add water and simmer until thickened. Adjust seasoning.
- Pour peanut sauce over the vegetables and serve with rice cakes or crackers.
This nutritious dish reflects Indonesia’s focus on health and community, much like the TB vaccine initiative.
Conclusion
The collaboration between Bill Gates and Prabowo Subianto underscores Indonesia’s pivotal role in global health innovation. While the TB vaccine trials hold promise, they also spark debate about ethics and equity. By balancing scientific progress with cultural pride, Indonesia is poised to make strides in both health and heritage.
Author: Planet-Today.com