Prabowo Highlights Stories of Ordinary Citizens Benefiting from Government Programmes
President Prabowo Subianto not only presented his government’s achievements in his speech but also recounted the lives of several ordinary citizens who have directly experienced various government programmes. The stories were delivered during the Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the Joint Session of the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) in commemoration of the 81st Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia at the Nusantara Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday (14/8/2026). A total of eight names were mentioned as Prabowo explained the implementation of programmes in the fields of food, education, social protection, and housing. The following are the eight names Prabowo recounted in his speech:
- Joko Puro
Joko Puro is the Head of the Sri Makmur Farmers Group from Purwosari Village, Ngawi Regency, East Java. He has been a farmer for 20 years. With the support of water, technology, and fertiliser provided by the government, Joko is able to harvest three times a year with a productivity of 9 tonnes of rice per hectare. A 20% reduction in fertiliser prices also helped cut his production costs. Joko’s story was shared when Prabowo explained the government’s efforts to increase food production and achieve self-sufficiency.
- Kristina Beno
Kristina Beno is a sixth-grade primary school student from Merauke, South Papua. The daughter of a farmer is one of the beneficiaries of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. The MBG programme is said to have helped Kristina become fitter, more focused, and more diligent in attending school. “Kristina, thank you. This is your first time attending the MPR. Perhaps one day you will sit here,” Prabowo said. Prabowo also conveyed that children from Papua have the opportunity to lead Indonesia in the future.
- Muhammad Risky Pratama
Muhammad Risky Pratama is a 12-year-old student at Sekolah Rakyat Menengah Pertama 2 Medan. Before attending Sekolah Rakyat, Risky used to cycle tens of kilometres carrying about 30 kilograms of fish to sell. “Imagine, with a body like this, riding a bicycle carrying 30 kilograms of fish. You are extraordinary, Risky. You are a good child,” Prabowo said. Economic conditions had previously forced Risky to drop out of school. When he first entered Sekolah Rakyat, his reading and arithmetic skills were not yet fluent. Through the programme, Risky now has the opportunity to learn again and shape his aspirations. Prabowo believes that life experience will shape Risky into a strong individual. As of the speech, the government had opened 93 permanent Sekolah Rakyat. When combined with pilot schools, the total reaches 182 schools.
- Citra Nur Ramadhani
Citra Nur Ramadhani comes from Pangkajene and Islands Regency, South Sulawesi. When she was in the fourth grade of primary school, Citra almost dropped out because she had to help her mother sell peanuts. Her father had passed away, and her mother is a person with a disability. Sekolah Rakyat then gave Citra the opportunity to continue her education. She also managed to achieve the title of regency-level karate champion. “Sekolah Rakyat gave Citra the chance to learn without leaving her family to face the struggle alone. Citra recently won the regency-level karate championship,” Prabowo said.
- Susanah
Prabowo then recounted the life of Susanah, a resident of Bogor Regency who works as a daily labourer peeling onions. Susanah receives a wage of around Rp700 for every kilogram of onions peeled. The Family Hope Programme and the Sembako Programme help support her family’s needs. The assistance also helps sustain the education of Susanah’s children.
- Margarelitha Rohi
Margarelitha Rohi is a resident of Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, who has lived in hardship since childhood. She never received an education. At the age of 38, Margarelitha still trades while caring for her 80-year-old aunt. Social assistance from the Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI) programme, in the form of rice and oil, is one of the mainstays for her family’s needs. Margarelitha’s story was also used by Prabowo to illustrate the beneficiaries of the social protection programme.
- Thelma Humena
The next name is Thelma Humena, a resident of Manado City who is a beneficiary of the home renovation programme. The house Thelma’s family previously occupied had a fragile foundation. The walls, floors, and roof of the house were also in a state of disrepair. Through the Self-Help Housing Stimulant Assistance (BSPS), Thelma’s family was able to renovate the house into a more liveable dwelling. As of 30 June 2026, the government had distributed renovation assistance through BSPS for 83,907 houses.
- Andre Kawaru
The last name is Andre Kawaru, a resident of Samarinda who works as a rabbit trader. Andre peddles rabbits by moving from one night market to another. For years, he and his family lived in a rented house. Through the Subsidised Home Ownership Credit (KPR) with the Housing Financing Liquidity Facility (FLPP), Andre was finally able to own his own home. As of the period conveyed by Prabowo, home purchase financing through FLPP had reached 91,531 houses. Meanwhile, Housing Programme Credit has been distributed to 95,831 debtors. The stories of Andre and Thelma illustrate the implementation of government housing programmes, both through renovation assistance and home purchase financing.