Prabowo Inaugurates Thousands of Bridges and Clean Water Sources, Emphasises Development for Remote Communities

President Prabowo Subianto has stressed that Indonesia’s development must not be oriented only towards large and strategic projects.

Amid the ambition to bring Indonesia into becoming a modern, advanced and prosperous country, the government must still ensure that the basic needs of communities in remote areas are not neglected.

“There are many more projects that I will later inaugurate, brilliant projects, strategic projects, projects that will bring Indonesia into becoming a modern, advanced and prosperous country,” said Prabowo while virtually inaugurating the Merah Putih Presisi Bridge and clean water sources on Thursday, 13 August 2026.

According to Prabowo, the development of large projects is indeed important for achieving national aspirations. However, the government must not lose attention to simple matters that directly touch people’s lives.

“Our brothers and sisters have achieved very great things, but today is proof that although our ambitions are great and our plans are great, we must not forget the small things,” he said.

Prabowo emphasised that national development requires investment on a large scale. Nevertheless, the measure of development success is not determined only by the grandeur of the projects built, but also by the extent to which the state is able to deliver basic services to people living far from growth centres.

“Perhaps we can carry out more brilliant projects, and we do need massive investment, but we have only just understood, and we must always understand, that the state must be present for the most remote people. The people furthest from the great centres of life must enjoy a good quality of life,” Prabowo stressed.

For this reason, the construction of bridges and clean water sources is part of a development agenda that targets the direct needs of the community. This infrastructure is expected to open up access while improving the quality of life of residents in various regions.

On that occasion, Prabowo then inaugurated thousands of bridges and clean water sources built by the TNI and Polri.

“And thus, by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, on this morning of Thursday, 13 August 2026, I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, hereby inaugurate 3,395 TNI and Polri bridges and 3,000 Indonesian Army clean water sources that have been built for the benefit of the Indonesian people,” said Prabowo.