Prabowo: My Oath is to See a Prosperous Indonesia

President Prabowo Subianto has reaffirmed his oath to realise a prosperous Indonesia, free from hunger and the issue of child malnutrition.

During his speech at the 28th anniversary of the National Mandate Party (PAN) in Jakarta on Friday night, Prabowo stated that his determination to defend the nation and the state has been ingrained in him since his youth.

“Since I was a child, I was sworn in; I was ready back then, at 18 years old, I was ready to die for this country,” said Prabowo.

He stated that his service to the nation is driven by the desire to see Indonesia become an honourable nation where its people live in prosperity. Prabowo expressed his wish that no more Indonesians suffer from hunger and that no parents face hardships when their children fall ill.

The Head of State also highlighted the issue of children going to school hungry, as well as the problem of stunting caused by malnutrition. According to Prabowo, malnutrition can result in weak bones and muscles in children and hinder brain cell development, thereby affecting their ability to compete with children from other nations.

“I do not want to see that. That is not my oath. I swear to see a prosperous Indonesia. That is my oath,” he said.

Prabowo noted that the struggle to achieve public welfare requires courage, perseverance, and loyalty. According to him, the most important loyalty is to the nation, the state, and the Indonesian people.

“The first loyalty is to our nation, state, and people,” he said.

Prabowo remarked that the principle of loyalty to the state is easy to utter, but requires hard work to realise.

In his speech at the same event, Prabowo also emphasised that the cost of public education—ranging from primary school (SD), junior high school (SMP), and senior high school (SMA) to state universities—must be free. He stated that he will soon convene a limited meeting to discuss efforts to implement this tuition-free public education.