Prabowo Slams Table, Vowing to End the Theft of Indonesia's Wealth
President Prabowo Subianto delivered a fiery speech during the official inauguration of 1,061 Merah Putih Village Cooperatives (Kopdes) in Nganjuk, East Java, last Saturday. During the event, the President was seen striking the podium several times while addressing state officials, cabinet ministers, and security forces.
Prabowo expressed his firm conviction that Indonesia is a great and powerful nation capable of becoming a developed country through the successful operation of thousands of Merah Putih cooperatives to stimulate the community economy. He set an ambitious target to have between 20,000 and 30,000 cooperatives established by August, and noted plans to support 1,000 fishing villages by December.
“We will rise, brothers! Let us prove it today, and let us prove it this August with at least 20,000 cooperatives standing. And let us see 1,000 fishing villages by December,” Prabowo stated.
The President also struck the table while declaring to his officials that Indonesia’s wealth must no longer be stolen. He emphasised that the nation’s riches should be enjoyed by its own people.
“We no longer want Indonesia’s wealth to be continuously stolen! We no longer want Indonesia’s wealth to be continuously stolen! Those who wish to defend the people, stand with me; but those who wish to defend the thieves, stay where you are, and you will face the entire Indonesian people. I am certain of that,” Prabowo said, met by thunderous applause.
He further asserted that Indonesia is not a weak nation destined to lose on the global stage. Consequently, Prabowo urged his administration to work together to prosper the country as a form of accountability to the citizens who granted them the mandate to lead.
“Brothers, if the Indonesian people truly want it, if we work together, Indonesia is not a weak nation, nor a losing nation, but a strong nation! That is my conviction. I am here today with all of you, fulfilling our responsibility to our nation and our people,” he explained.