TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto referred to Indonesia as a kind-hearted nation. According to him, the Indonesian people's kindness is often taken advantage of by those who lack discretion.
The Head of State expressed this at the peak event commemorating National Cooperative Day (Harkopnas) today, Sunday, July 12, 2026. "Our nation is a nation with a very kind heart. We are kind-hearted. Right? That is the nature of our nation," said Prabowo at Indonesia Arena, Gelora Bung Karno complex, in Senayan, Jakarta, on Sunday.
Prabowo said Indonesians always warmly welcome guests. Even in times of scarcity, Indonesians still strive to welcome these guests. "If a guest comes to our house, even if we don't have drinks, no coffee, no sugar, we still welcome them. If necessary, we can go to our neighbor, borrow some sugar and coffee," he said.
However, the Gerindra Party chair said that there are guests from other countries who come to Indonesia with malicious intentions. "We like guests. We respect guests. It's just that sometimes guests lack discretion. They were not invited, came here, said they wanted to trade, and ended up looting," said Prabowo.
The former Defense Minister during President Joko Widodo's administration did not explain in detail who these guests were. He told the event attendees that he wanted to speak candidly. He even asked for permission from the Minister of Religion, Nasaruddin Umar. "Minister of Religion, can I speak candidly? Can I? Do you want me to speak candidly or not?" Prabowo said.
After that, he criticized the media for what he saw as their readiness to pounce on his every misstep. "The media is waiting for me to slip up. It's okay. Journalists are my friends," Prabowo said.
Earlier, Prabowo Subianto arrived at the site of the 79th National Cooperative Day event at around 2:12 PM local time. Prabowo was seen wearing a cream-colored safari shirt, with a black cap perched on his head.
Upon entering the event area, Prabowo, accompanied by the Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono, greeted a number of attendees, ranging from state officials to cooperative managers.
Several assistants of Prabowo in the Red and White Cabinet who were seen attending this event included Coordinating Minister for Social Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago, Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, Minister of Investment and Industrialization Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, and Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar.
Also present at the event venue were Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin, Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces General Agus Subiyanto, and Chief of the Indonesian National Police General Listyo Sigit Prabowo.
Read: Prabowo to Attend National Cooperatives Day Commemoration in Jakarta
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