Prabowo: I Lost Four Times but Never Disturbed the Elected Leader
President Prabowo Subianto has expressed his hope that the nation’s political elites can work together, citing his own experience of failing in general elections four times without ever disturbing the mandate of the elected leader. Prabowo conveyed his views during a speech before thousands of rectors, deans, and lecturers at the Jakarta International Convention Center on Friday, 26 June 2026. He initially stated that national issues need to be contemplated collectively.
The Chairman of the Gerindra Party claimed he has always practised peaceful politics. “I always try to be persuasive. As a political leader, I was chosen democratically,” Prabowo said from the podium. The former Minister of Defence then mentioned his four electoral failures. Prabowo failed to become a presidential candidate in the Golkar Party convention for the 2004 election. He also lost in the 2009 election as a vice-presidential candidate and in the 2014 and 2019 elections as a presidential candidate.
Prabowo then stated he was only elected after asking for the people’s mandate for the fifth time. During his four electoral defeats, he said, he did not disrupt the elected government. “I lost four times, but I did not disturb the leader who received the mandate,” he said. The retired Army general noted that losing an election is actually a sad experience. However, he conveyed that the losing party must accept it so that the Indonesian nation does not become chaotic. “Losing is sad, actually, but I am aware, I understand what the alternative is,” he said. Prabowo stated he understands that the Indonesian nation has agreed to live in a democracy where sovereignty rests with the people. “The manifestation of people’s sovereignty in a democracy is elections,” Prabowo said.
The forum, titled ‘Sarasehan Kebangsaan’ (National Dialogue), which Prabowo attended, was part of the Indonesian Science, Technology, and Industry Convention organised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology. The event carried the theme ‘Strategy for Economic Independence and Welfare of Indonesia’. Several cabinet members also attended the event, including Vice President Gibran Rakabuming, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.