Prabowo Highlights Differences in Parties and Ethnic Groups at DPRD Retreat
President Prabowo Subianto highlighted differences among regional people’s representative council (DPRD) leaders. The Gerindra Party chairman delivered a speech at the DPRD retreat at the Military Academy in Magelang, Central Java, on Saturday, 18 April 2026.
The speech agenda took place behind closed doors. “The President highlighted the diverse backgrounds of the participants, from their regions of origin, ethnic groups, education, to political parties, as a unifying force in the spirit of nationalism,” according to the press release from the Presidential Secretariat.
According to the Presidential Secretariat’s release, Prabowo advised DPRD leaders that Indonesia’s strength is not determined solely at the centre. “But rather rests on solid, integrity-based leadership oriented towards the interests of the people across all regions,” the statement said.
Prabowo’s speech at the Military Academy was briefly broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat. However, the live stream on YouTube was cut off after Prabowo instructed that his directives should not be covered by the media.
Tempo contacted DKI Jakarta DPRD Chairman Khoirudin, who attended the event, to learn Prabowo’s message to the retreat participants. The Prosperous Justice Party politician had not responded to messages at the time this article was written.
At the same event, National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas) Governor Ace Hasan Syadzily, who organised the DPRD retreat, stated that 503 DPRD chairs were attending the event. “Held at the Tidar Valley of the Magelang Military Academy, where national leaders are forged and tempered,” he said.
The National Resilience Institute or Lemhanas held the retreat for hundreds of DPRD chairs from 15 to 19 April 2026. This retreat invited 557 DPRD chairs from across Indonesia. The breakdown includes 38 provincial DPRD chairs, 93 city DPRD chairs, and 415 regency DPRD chairs.
Eleven officials from the All-Indonesia Regency DPRD Chairs Association were also included in this retreat. However, only 479 out of the total 557 DPRD chairs were recorded as attending the retreat.
Ace Hasan said the purpose of the DPRD chairs’ retreat is to enhance the institution’s capacity in facing national and regional development challenges. “Participants are encouraged to become strategic partners to local governments and agents of change,” said Ace on Wednesday, 15 April 2026.
Retreats are frequently held during the Prabowo Subianto administration. Previously, retreats were also mandatory for ministers of the Red and White Cabinet and regional heads.