Prabowo Labels Leaders Who Incite Riots as Traitors

President Prabowo Subianto has spoken about the figure of a traitorous leader, a label he applied to those who incite riots when they lose in the democratic process. The statement was made during his speech at the 79th National Cooperative Day commemoration at the Indonesia Arena, Jakarta, on Sunday. During the event, Prabowo touched on the issue of unity and his belief in Indonesia’s bright future.

Prabowo stated that the cooperative movement has always accompanied the path he chose. He mentioned losing the presidential election several times, yet the cooperative movement remained by his side. “Brothers and sisters, I truly feel I am among my own family. I feel that cooperatives are my family. Even though I lost the presidential election several times, I felt the cooperative movement was always with me,” Prabowo said in his address. “We have not yet succeeded, but we continue to fight for the people of Indonesia!” he exclaimed.

Prabowo explained that he was eventually given the mandate to lead Indonesia. He stressed he would fight with all his might for the people. “And finally, I received the mandate from the people of Indonesia, and I will carry out that mandate with all my strength, for… I will fight with all my might for the greatest prosperity of the Indonesian people,” he said.

Prabowo said Indonesia is a very wealthy country. However, he expressed dismay that the nation’s riches were being stolen by irresponsible parties. “Brothers and sisters, we understand that our country is very rich. After I was inaugurated, in the first weeks of my presidency, I realised just how wealthy the Indonesian nation is. But I was also saddened, I felt a blow to my gut seeing how much of Indonesia’s wealth is being stolen,” he added.

In his speech, Prabowo also reiterated a warning to corruptors to stop their evil practices of stealing the people’s money. He said the people are not stupid. Prabowo initially touched on state-owned enterprises (BUMN) which will be reorganised as they have become dens of corruption. “We are consolidating over a thousand BUMNs into one, its value is one trillion US dollars. Our sovereign wealth fund is now perhaps the fifth or sixth largest in the world,” Prabowo said. “So do not always be pessimistic or have an inferiority complex. Be humble, yes, but do not feel inferior. And those BUMNs will be brought to order. All this time, those BUMNs have been sources of corruption,” he continued. It was at this moment that Prabowo warned the corruptors, asking them to come to their senses and stop their corrupt practices. “I warn you again, once more, for the umpteenth time I have spoken since long ago. Hey, corruptors, come to your senses. Stop your practices, stop them. The people are not stupid. Stop it. Return the people’s wealth, return it properly,” Prabowo asserted.

Prabowo said Indonesia is a forgiving nation. However, he continued, the people need justice and prosperity. “The people need good schools, teachers need good salaries, doctors and nurses need good salaries,” he said.

Prabowo conveyed his conviction about Indonesia’s future. He is optimistic that Indonesia will progress under his administration. “Indonesia will rise, and Indonesia will be able to strengthen all the forces in this Republic of Indonesia,” Prabowo said. He admitted he still hears voices claiming Indonesia’s future is bleak. He delivered a message to those who feel that way. “Those who are doubtful, please just sit at home. Those who feel Indonesia is bleak, please go and find another country. Please do, no one is stopping you,” he said.

Prabowo then invited the public to unite. He reminded them of Indonesia’s noble culture of mutual cooperation and collaboration. “If you are in Indonesia, please, let us unite, let us work together, let us cooperate. The strong help the weak, the weak cooperate well,” Prabowo said.

In the middle of his speech, Prabowo spoke about traitorous leaders. He brought up the issue of parties that advocate ‘burning’ movements in the republic. “Having different parties is not a problem. Every few years we compete fairly. There is no problem,” Prabowo said in his address. He stated that whoever wins will be supported. He stressed that the losing side should not advocate burning things. “Whoever wins, please go ahead. Do not, if you lose, want to burn things. What kind of nation is that? A leader who advocates burning things in this republic is a traitorous leader, brothers and sisters,” Prabowo said.

Prabowo believes in the law of karma for those who created the suggestion to burn things. He then emphasised that after losing four times in presidential elections, he never ordered his followers to burn things or demonstrate. “I believe the law of karma will catch up with all of them. I ran five times in elections, lost four times, and I never once told my followers to burn things. Not even a demonstration. I attended my rival’s inauguration, I came, I paid my respects, I congratulated them,” he stressed. He stated that competition is a good thing, a normal thing that must be accepted by all parties. “Competition is good, contests are good. Right? In football, there is a match, right, with two sides. One must win. If one loses, do you beat up the referee? Competition is normal. There is no problem, right,” he concluded.