Prabowo: I've been ridiculed enough, let it be, the people suffer more

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto admitted that he is often ridiculed by other countries for reminding the military and police to behave like ordinary citizens.

However, Prabowo does not heed the ridicule.

The most important thing, according to him, is the welfare of the people.

“Am I being ridiculed by other countries? I have been ridiculed enough, it doesn’t matter, let it be, at most I’m being ridiculed, right? The people suffer more every day, if I’m ridiculed, so what,” Prabowo said in his speech when inaugurating the Marsinah Museum, in Nglundo Village, Sukomoro District, Nganjuk Regency, East Java, Saturday (16/5/2026).

He revealed that many have asked why the military and police in Indonesia are allowed to hold certain civilian positions.

Once given trust by him, Prabowo said, many members of the security apparatus actually take advantage of it to commit irregularities.

“I shake my head sadly, because every day I receive reports of officials who are committing irregularities. I am sad. The people I appointed, the people I trained, the people I gave honour by giving them important positions, once they are in office, they commit irregularities, steal people’s money,” he added.

“Don’t let the security apparatus be the ones behind the irregularities, the ones backing the irregularities, the ones backing smuggling, backing drugs, backing gambling, backing this being legal, that being illegal, it shouldn’t be like that!” he emphasised.

He warned all members of the security apparatus to improve and correct themselves so that they do not become backers of irregularities that harm the people.

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