Prabowo Praises Pramono Despite Different Political Affiliations

President Prabowo Subianto officially inaugurated the Kelapa Gading-Manggarai LRT route alongside Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung. During the event, Prabowo conveyed several messages and offered praise to Pramono, despite them representing different political parties.

Prabowo arrived at the Kelapa Gading LRT Station, North Jakarta, on Wednesday (16/09/2026) at approximately 1:00 PM WIB. He was directly welcomed by Governor Pramono Anung. During the LRT journey, Prabowo was seen listening to reports from Pramono and occasionally chatting with students on board.

During the trip on the Kelapa Gading-Manggarai route, Pramono conveyed a specific directive from Prabowo requesting more vertical gardens in Jakarta. “During the journey, there was an order from the President that we will follow up. Fortunately, almost all Regional Apparatus Organisations (OPD) are present here. Greening Jakarta is our main programme and we will follow up immediately, Mr President,” said Pramono in his remarks.

Pramono stated that the Jakarta Provincial Government would act on this instruction immediately. He also provided an update on Jakarta’s current economic performance, noting that economic growth this quarter reached 5.52% with an inflation rate of 2.5%. Jakarta is also reported to contribute 16.32% to the national economy.

Pramono noted that such economic conditions must be accompanied by urban development that enhances comfort, including the strengthening of public transport and urban greening as directed by Prabowo. “As we approach our 500th anniversary, we continue to strengthen Jakarta’s transformation towards a competitive global city,” he said.

Prabowo spoke regarding democracy in Indonesia, touching upon his different political background from Governor Pramono Anung, yet noting that they can still work together professionally. “We are witnessing an important step in the nation’s development plan, the transformation of the nation, as Greater Jakarta, Jabodetabek, has effectively become the largest metropolitan area in the world with 42 million people,” Prabowo said in his speech.

Prabowo emphasised the need for awareness in placing the interests of the people first when leading a large city. He used himself and Pramono Anung as an example of how different parties can still cooperate. “The best example of Indonesian statehood: I, as the President of the Republic of’ Indonesia, lead the central government, and Mr Pramono Anung, as the Governor of Jakarta, leads the regional government. We come from different parties, we compete, but we can cooperate,” Prabowo remarked.

According to Prabowo, he and Pramono can respect one another and continue to work together because they are aware that their positions are a mandate from the people. He asserted that public officials are servants of the people. “We can respect each other because we are aware, in our hearts, that we were chosen by the people. I am here as President, Mr Pramono Anung as Governor, and Mr Rano Karno as Vice Governor; we are servants of the people, we are the people’s officers,” he added.

Furthermore, Prabowo requested that all officials receiving a mandate from the people continue to make the people the priority of their policies. He warned officials who are no longer capable of upholding such a mandate to step down.

President Prabowo also praised Governor Pramono Anung for the achievement of establishing the new Kelapa Gading-Manggarai LRT route, acknowledging Pramono’s capability. Prabowo stated that he would recognise any governor who achieves great results, regardless of their party. It is noted that Prabowo is the Chairman of Gerindra, while Pramono is a member of the PDI-P.

“That is from me, I won’t speak for too long. The point is, congratulations, thank you, Governor. I must admit that if there is a great governor, I will acknowledge their greatness. The Vice Governor, even though… even though he is not from my party,” said Prabowo, which was met with laughter from the invited guests.

Prabowo requested that this achievement should encourage other parties. He hoped that regional heads from other parties would take this as a good example and work correctly. “But this must encourage other parties, right? So, do the right work. Thank you,” he said.

Prabowo concluded by congratulating Pramono and Vice Governor Rano Karno, expressing his pleasure in using the LRT. “Congratulations Mr Pramono, congratulations Doel. But now you are no longer a ‘street child’ [referring to Rano Karno’s film persona]. I am very happy today. The LRT is very comfortable, it is extraordinary,” he concluded.