September 19, 2026 | 12:00 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed his pledge to build a prosperous Indonesia where people do not go hungry and children do not suffer from malnutrition.
Speaking at the 28th anniversary celebration of the National Mandate Party (PAN) in Jakarta on Friday night, Prabowo said his commitment to defending the nation had been instilled in him from a young age.
“I was sworn in from a young age. I was ready, at 18, I was ready to die for this country,” Prabowo said.
He said his service to the country was driven by his desire to see Indonesia become a respected nation where people could live prosperously.
Prabowo said he wanted to see an Indonesia where no one went hungry and parents did not struggle when their children fell ill.
He also highlighted children who go to school hungry and the problem of stunting caused by malnutrition.
According to Prabowo, malnutrition can weaken children’s bones and muscles and hinder the development of brain cells, affecting their ability to compete with children from other countries.
“I do not want to see that. That is not my oath. I swear to see Indonesia prosperous. That is my oath,” he said.
Prabowo said efforts to improve people’s welfare require courage, perseverance and loyalty.
He said the highest form of loyalty should be to the nation, the state and the Indonesian people.
“First and foremost is loyalty to our nation, our state and our people,” he said.
Prabowo said loyalty to the country was easy to express but required hard work to put into practice.
In the same speech, Prabowo also reiterated his call for public education to be free, from elementary and junior high school to senior high school and state universities.
He said he would soon hold a limited meeting to discuss efforts to provide free public education.
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