Prabowo Concerned Over Many People's Preference for Foreign Culture

President Prabowo Subianto assesses that a significant portion of educated people in Indonesia suffer from an inferiority complex. They, according to Prabowo, prefer foreign cultures over Indonesian ones. Currently, Prabowo states, there is a phenomenon where certain educated groups in Indonesia are captivated by anything originating from abroad. “Everything sourced from abroad captivates us. This somewhat affects the soul’s strength and the nation’s spirit,” Prabowo said while attending the National Conference of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) in Senayan, Jakarta, on Saturday, 11 April 2026. The Head of State terms this inferior attitude in Dutch as minderwaardigheidscomplex. “Inferiority complex. In English: inferiority complex. Subconsciously, most educated people in Indonesia are prouder of (cultures) originating from outside Indonesia,” he explained. Indonesian society, according to Prabowo, must be proud of its own culture. He gives examples of pride that can be shown by wearing traditional clothing, such as sarongs, songket, and kopiah. The General Chairman of the Gerindra Party mentions that the habit of wearing traditional clothing has already been practised by previous presidents, including himself. “You see, how many presidents before me, President Jokowi, I every national day we wear our own clothing from various regions,” said Prabowo. The Indonesian people, in his view, must respect all nations. However, he says, that respect must not make one forget their own nation. “A great nation is one that respects its own culture, a nation that respects its parents and ancestors,” stated the former Minister of Defence. Prabowo gives the example of pencak silat, which he says is not merely a sport for building physical toughness. Prabowo states that pencak silat is also the nation’s identity. At the same event, Prabowo stated that he will not run again to become the general chairman of PB IPSI. He has held that position since 2003, or about 23 years ago. In this National Conference, IPSI will elect Prabowo’s replacement. He also apologised for not yet succeeding in bringing pencak silat to the Olympics during his tenure as general chairman. “There are many tasks for PB IPSI ahead, I apologise that I have not succeeded in bringing pencak silat to the Olympics. We continue to strive. I believe my successor will succeed in bringing it to the Olympics, I am confident,” he said. This retired army general then apologised for not being very active in PB IPSI in recent years. Nevertheless, he emphasised that he has always supported the organisation. “Especially now as president, I think the development of IPSI will be even more vigorous,” said Prabowo.