Prabowo: A Nation That Does Not Understand History Will Be Punished by History

President Prabowo Subianto attended the National Electric Motorcycle Launch in Cikarang, Bekasi Regency, West Java Province, on Thursday (13/8/2026). In his speech, Prabowo spoke about the urgency for the younger generation to study history.

Initially, the chairman of the Gerakan Indonesia Raya Party said that Indonesia has matured as a nation and state, even though it is still relatively young, having only gained independence in 1945. However, Prabowo continued, warfare occurred for five years and Indonesia succeeded in seizing its independence. Nevertheless, the colonial powers were not entirely willing to leave Indonesia.

“So, as soon as we became independent, in the first weeks of our independence, they launched a coup against the new government, two weeks after the transfer of sovereignty,” said Prabowo.

“Brothers and sisters, especially the younger generation, study history. A nation that does not understand history will be punished by history,” he continued.

The former Minister of Defence stated that if we do not understand the behaviour of other nations towards Indonesia, we will always be victims. Prabowo emphasised that he never encourages hatred towards other nations.

“No. Our national character is actually very friendly. We are famous for our friendliness, our kindness, it is our DNA, it is our nature. This nature is considered by other nations as a weak nature, we are considered the soft state,” said Prabowo.

Furthermore, he assessed that sometimes parties are too slow to realise what is happening around them. For a long time, natural resources have been taken, smuggled, and mined illegally.

“Our wealth, our treasures are taken right before our eyes, sometimes we are slow to react,” said Prabowo.