Prabowo Asserts Unbiased Corruption Eradication: Mr Dadan Was My Campaign Team

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has reaffirmed his commitment to eradicating corruption without discrimination. He referenced the case of the former Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, who was once part of his campaign team, noting that he still allowed the case to be handed over to the prosecutor’s office.

“I have proven it. Mr Dadan was my campaign team, my expert team. I was the one who appointed him as the Head of the BGN. I was also the one who handed him over to the prosecutor’s office,” Prabowo stated during an interview on the ‘Prabowo Menjawab’ programme, according to a written statement on Wednesday (16/09/2026).

Prabowo also cited the seizure of assets from the Sultan Hotel as an example. Despite the hotel being owned by Pontjo Sutowo, who is a friend of his, he asserted that the law was strictly enforced.

“How many people have I handed over, and how many assets have we seized? Regarding the Sultan Hotel, many people lobbied me. Mr Pontjo might be considered a prominent figure and is indeed my friend. But I have no friends here; this is about the state,” he said.

Similarly, when Prabowo was appointed Minister of Defence in 2019, he prohibited those close to him from conducting business with the Ministry of Defence to avoid conflicts of interest.

“On my first day as Minister of Defence, on my very first night, I gathered all my family and all my close associates from Gerindra. I told them, ‘I will be the Minister of Defence starting tomorrow, and none of you are allowed to seek business within the Ministry of Defence’,” he recounted.

Prabowo has maintained this stance since becoming President, warning all Gerindra cadres that he will not grant special treatment.

“As soon as I became President, I said clearly to my fellow Gerindra members: Do not assume that because I am President, if you commit a mistake, I can protect you. I told you upfront. And you can see how many regents from Gerindra, how many mayors, and so on, have been arrested by law enforcement,” said Prabowo.

For Prabowo, the interests of the people remain paramount. “In governing a nation, we must be prudent and wise. Ultimately, the national interest and the interests of the people must be above all else,” he emphasised.