January 8, 2026 | 08:17 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto admits being accused of wanting to be a dictator and staging a government coup. Prabowo claims that he wants to fight so that Indonesia's natural wealth can be enjoyed by the people.
"I can feel the presence and absence of justice. That's why I continue to fight. I am accused of wanting to be a dictator, to seize power, to stage a coup," said Prabowo at the Harvest Festival and Announcement of Food Self-Sufficiency in Karawang, West Java, Wednesday, January 7, 2026 cited by the President's Secretariat YouTube.
The Head of State initially claimed that Indonesia's natural resources are abundant. However, these natural resources are not fully enjoyed by some of the Indonesian people.
"In my sane mind and heart, I cannot accept how a country that is so prosperous, a country that fought for independence for hundreds of years, but its wealth is not enjoyed by the majority of the Indonesian people," he said.
He admitted to being puzzled by this situation. Moreover, as a former defense minister, he saw that Indonesia is endowed with abundant natural resources. However, the Indonesian government is still dependent on importing food from other countries.
"We rely on other nations for food. We import food. It doesn't sit well with me, it doesn't make sense to me," said Prabowo.
The Chair of the Gerindra Party admits that he is not a smart person and does not hold a professorial title. However, he can discern between fairness and unfairness. He asserts that he will continue to strive for justice. Prabowo claims to have sworn as an Indonesian Army soldier to defend the interests of the people. "The Army is the people's army. The Army was born from the people," he said.
Prabowo feels that the Army is indebted to the people's kindness. He mentioned that during the independence era, the soldiers were greatly assisted by farmers.
"When Indonesia declared independence, there was no budget. There was no finance ministry, no taxes, and no customs duties. Who financed the fighters? It was the Indonesian farmers who fed the soldiers. We would not have achieved independence without the services of the farmers," he said.
Read: Expert Questions Prabowo's Food Self-Sufficiency Claims
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Expert Questions Prabowo's Food Self-Sufficiency Claims
8 jam lalu
Activist Khudori challenges President Prabowo's food self-sufficiency claims, calling for a clear definition of the term.
Prabowo Accuses Government Critics of Being Paid
9 jam lalu
President Prabowo accused individuals who criticize, mock, or defame his government's performance of being paid by irresponsible parties.
Prabowo: All Villages to Receive Free Meals by Late 2026
10 jam lalu
President Prabowo Subianto targets nationwide distribution of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program by 2026.
Minister Orders Probe Into Terror Against Government Critic
10 jam lalu
The State Secretary Minister emphasized the importance of expressing criticism toward government policies through established communication channels.
BNPB: Sumatra Post-Flood Mud Reaches Record 3 Meters
15 jam lalu
BNPB reports that mud sedimentation from Sumatra floods has reached three meters. President Prabowo has authorized local governments to sell it.
Watchdog Rebuts Prabowo on Free Nutritious Meal Success Claims
16 jam lalu
JPPI records show that the number of children poisoned by the free nutritious meal program has exceeded 20,000.
Prabowo Declares Indonesia's Food Self-Sufficiency
16 jam lalu
Observers have highlighted Indonesia's intention to achieve food self-sufficiency, but this will burden the people with high food prices.
Indonesia Welcomes Its First Panda Cub Born at Taman Safari
22 jam lalu
The birth of a giant panda cub from the pair of Cai To (male) and Hu Chun (female) was named by President Prabowo Subianto as Satrio Wiratama.
Prabowo Reprimands Cabinet at Hambalang Retreat
1 hari lalu
State Secretary Minister Prasetyo explained that the warning came because Prabowo wants his cabinet members to work much faster.
Prabowo Claims 99% Success Rate for Free Nutritious Meal Program
1 hari lalu
Prabowo Subianto claimed the success rate of the free nutritious meal (MBG) program has reached 99 percent, according to evaluation results.
