Prabowo Asks Education Minister: Is It Okay for a President to Say 'Bajingan'?
President Prabowo Subianto asked Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti about the use of the word ‘bajingan’ (scoundrel) while delivering a speech at the peak event of the National Cooperatives Day (Harkopnas). The moment occurred when Prabowo was discussing political dynamics marked by strife due to differing choices.
For Prabowo, every political party has patriotic cadres. However, political parties are also filled by a group he referred to as ‘bajingan’. “Can a president say ‘bajingan’ or not? Can he? I’m not asking you, I’m asking the Education Minister,” said Prabowo while pointing towards Minister Abdul Mu’ti at the Indonesia Arena, Gelora Bung Karno complex, Senayan, Jakarta, on Sunday, 12 July 2026.
Abdul Mu’ti was momentarily caught on camera displayed on the screens to the right and left of the stage where Prabowo was speaking. He was seen standing up from his seat while laughing.
Prabowo then stated that the word ‘bajingan’ he uttered was not a harsh word. He argued that the use of the word was a form of expressing his enthusiasm. “Is it allowed or not? This is not considered rude. Bajingan, yes, bajingan. What language is that? Betawi, right,” said Prabowo.
He then added, “I was born Betawi, so sorry if when I get enthusiastic, Betawi words come out. Sorry, yeah. Is this the cooperatives anniversary or have we started campaigning?”
In his speech, Prabowo had earlier called on all elements of the Indonesian nation to abandon the culture of mutual insult, hatred, and distrust. “Let us return to the nature of the Indonesian nation, which is to forgive one another, understand one another, love one another, and help one another. Do not follow the culture of insult, envy, and suspicion,” Prabowo said.
The former Minister of Defence stated that a nation will not achieve success if it remains trapped in strife. Differences in ethnic background or political choices, he said, should not be a reason for mutual hostility.