Prabowo Dismisses 'Lazy Nation' Stereotype, Highlights Indonesians' Hard Work

President Prabowo Subianto has dismissed the perception that Indonesian society is lazy, stating that the people work hard every day to earn a decent living. He said there are still parties who look down on the Indonesian nation, always underestimating and mocking it behind its back. “Perhaps because of the kindness of the Indonesian people, our hospitality, that we are so friendly, we are judged as weak,” Prabowo said during a speech at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Abadi Masela LNG project.

Prabowo then addressed the stereotype that Indonesian society is relaxed and fond of idleness. According to him, this stereotype does not match the reality on the ground. “We are said to be a relaxed nation, we are said to be a lazy nation, that the Indonesian people, the natives, love to sleep. In fact, our people struggle hard from day to day to earn a decent living,” he said.

Prabowo described the struggles of Indonesians working in various sectors, from fishermen risking their lives at sea to farmers and rural communities who start their activities very early in the morning. “Everywhere our people work hard. But if the climate is so hot, the wisdom of our ancestors teaches us to avoid the heat during the blazing sun,” he said. He added that there are nations that do not see that the Indonesian people wake up very early, going to the fields, hunting, or sailing, and returning only in the dark.