January 6, 2026 | 10:52 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto revealed that he is not hesitant to correct himself and reevaluate his policies, especially when facing criticism from certain circles who see him as wanting to resurrect militarism in Indonesia.
Prabowo believes that criticism and correction are something that saves him.
"Criticism, correction is saving. So, I am grateful if there are those who shout: Prabowo wants to revive militarism! Well, I just correct it. Is it true? Okay, let's see, call legal experts, ask where? Right? What are the boundaries of leadership that are too authoritarian," said Prabowo in his speech in front of Christian congregations during the National Christmas Celebration 2025 in Jakarta as quoted by Antara, Monday, January 5, 2026.
Therefore, Prabowo expressed his gratitude when receiving criticism and correction from various parties. According to the President, the criticism and correction show that he has been assisted by those who give such criticism and correction.
"If criticized, we should even be grateful. If I'm corrected, I consider that I'm being helped, I'm being secured. Sometimes we don't like to be criticized, don't like to be corrected, but indeed that secures," said Prabowo.
The Head of State then gave a simple example when the correction came from his subordinates.
"The simplest example, sometimes we forget that a button is not fastened. Then, our subordinate runs: Sir, your uniform, Sir. Sir, the button. Well, why did the subordinate dare to correct me? But, he corrects to save me. Imagine if the President appears without a button attached. So, sometimes I'm also annoyed with my adjutant, so nagging. But he saved me. He indeed saved me. How many times have I been saved," said the President.
The President then gave another example of being corrected by his subordinates when he was still serving in the military environment.
"This is a story when I was still active (in the TNI, or the Indonesian National Armed Forces). I came out of the room to attend a parade. I don't know, I was busy or what, I forgot to wear a rank insignia. My subordinate runs, 'Sir! Sir! Don't go out, Sir! Your rank insignia is not complete'. Oh that's right. So what happened then? He saved me," Prabowo said.
Despite that, the President emphasized that he cannot accept slander and lies, because slander can create hatred and division.
"Corrections are welcome, good criticism, but slander is not good. All religions do not allow slander. I believe in the Christian religion as well: Thou shalt not lie. Lies are not good, especially lies that create suspicion, lies that create division, lies that create hatred. This can destroy all of us. If in Islam, there is a teaching: Slander is more cruel than murder," said the President.
Read: Despite Election Losses, Prabowo Says He Serves Aceh and West Sumatra with Free Meals
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