On October 20th, Indonesia welcomed its new president, Prabowo Subianto, who made headlines not just for his political appointment, but also for his beloved cat, Bobby. Accompanying him to the Presidential Palace, Bobby has quickly become a topic of conversation. The charming feline boasts a massive following on social media and gained significant attention during the election, creating a stark contrast to Prabowo’s military strongman persona.
Bobby’s popularity has drawn numerous Indonesian celebrities eager to snap a photo with him. Notables such as Mulan Jameela, a member of the Great Indonesia Movement Party, and business mogul Anindya Bakrie have shared their moments with Bobby on social media.
After taking office, Prabowo moved into the “Independence Palace” with Bobby, whom he adopted as a stray cat in 2017 from South Jakarta. Bobby’s Instagram account has amassed an impressive 650,000 followers, frequently attracting media attention.
The day following Prabowo’s inauguration, Bobby’s Instagram featured a video of the president gently petting him while asking, “Want to see your new room?” The clip garnered over 7.15 million views and more than 330,000 likes.
Bobby’s pet stroller also sparked discussions, with CNBC Indonesia reporting a price tag of 6.2 million Indonesian rupiah (around $396).
Bobby isn’t Prabowo’s only pet; he also has three other cats named Mika, Miki, and Miko. Bobby’s rise to fame began back in 2019, when Prabowo was seen feeding him at a party conference, igniting buzz online.
Throughout the presidential election process earlier this year, Bobby again captured the media spotlight, with Prabowo frequently sharing pictures featuring his beloved companion, further solidifying Bobby’s status in the hearts of the public.
