Prabowo: I Lost Four Times but Never Disrupted the Elected Leader

President Prabowo Subianto has again spoken about his four defeats in presidential elections. Prabowo stated that despite losing four times, he never disrupted the government that received the mandate.

He made the remarks during the National Dialogue at the 2026 Indonesian Science, Technology, and Industry Convention (KSTI) at the Jakarta Convention Centre (JCC), Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday (26/6/2026). Addressing an audience of rectors and professors, Prabowo called for cooperation to resolve the nation’s problems.

“Ladies and gentlemen, amidst all this, the key is, among other things, an elite that cannot cooperate. So, in running the state, I think we need to reflect on the matter of statehood,” Prabowo said.

Prabowo consistently invites all parties to unite to solve the nation’s problems. He then spoke about how he never disrupted the government that received the mandate, even after losing four times.

“I always try through persuasion. As a political leader, I was elected democratically. I went to the people five times to ask for a mandate, four times I was not given the mandate, four times I lost, but I did not disrupt the leader who received the mandate,” he stated.

The remark drew applause from the convention participants. Prabowo thanked them, though he was slightly surprised, as the usual response he received when mentioning his four electoral defeats was laughter.

“Thank you. Usually, when I say I lost four times, the audience laughs. That is Indonesians for you; losing is actually sad,” he said.

Furthermore, Prabowo asserted that democracy is a consequence of the Indonesian nation’s choice to place popular sovereignty as the basis for state administration.

“But, because I am aware, I understand what the alternative is. Because we have agreed, the Indonesian nation has agreed, that we want to live as a country where the sovereignty of the people rules,” he said.

Prabowo acknowledged that not all parties will be satisfied with election results. However, he argued that such dissatisfaction should not lead to repeated turmoil every time the democratic festival concludes.

“So, the manifestation of popular sovereignty is democracy, and the manifestation of democracy is elections. We understand, we may be dissatisfied, but what is the alternative? Do we want turmoil? After every election there is turmoil, every election there is turmoil, the losers make a fuss, the losers make a fuss. When will we move towards prosperity for our people?” he said.