Indonesia's Wealth Stolen, Prabowo: I Feel Punched in the Gut
President Prabowo Subianto has admitted to feeling profound sadness upon realising the extent to which Indonesia’s natural resource wealth has been exploited by other nations. He acknowledged that in the first weeks after his inauguration, he became aware of the country’s immense riches.
“I realised how wealthy the Indonesian nation is, but I was also saddened, I felt like I was punched in the gut seeing how much of Indonesia’s wealth has been stolen. How much of our wealth has been taken abroad,” he stated at the peak commemoration of the 79th National Cooperative Day in Jakarta on Sunday (12/7/2026).
He therefore affirmed his determination to be a leader who works hard with big ideas and concepts. According to him, big ideas are necessary for a great nation.
“We are a great nation. Our difficulties, obstacles, and challenges are great. We have only just realised that so many countries are envious of us, our nation is a nation that is too kind-hearted,” Prabowo concluded.
On the occasion, he also recounted that many countries are envious of Indonesia. According to Prabowo, Indonesia has a character that is too kind and naive.
He even said this nation welcomes ‘guests’ so well that it wants to do its best for them.
“Even if we don’t have coffee, don’t have sugar, we still invite them in. If necessary, we borrow sugar and coffee from the neighbours,” he explained on Sunday (12/7/2026).
Unfortunately, this respect is not reciprocated equally by the ‘guests’. In fact, he said many of these guests came uninvited and robbed Indonesia.
“Sometimes there are guests who have no shame. They weren’t even invited, they came here saying they wanted to trade. Eventually, they commit robbery,” Prabowo said.
This is what drives him to lead Indonesia towards the welfare of its people.
“And because of that, I am determined to lead this government, assisted by my cabinet. I am determined to work hard, to work with big, grand ideas, not small ones,” Prabowo asserted.