Prabowo Takes Over Illegal Plantations and Mines, The Number Is Astonishing

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, has revealed that he has already taken over and will continue to seize plantations and mines operating without permits.

“They create plantations without permits. Many set up mines without permits. I have taken over all of that. Up to today, we have regained control of nearly 5 million hectares, returned to the people. My calculation is that by the end of 2026, it will be 8 million hectares,” he stated at the Labour Day event in Jakarta (1/5/2026).

Prabowo also emphasised that thousands of illegal mines have been shut down and are now being managed by the state. He stressed that all seized plantations and mines will be utilised for the benefit of the people.

“These thousands, we will manage them. We will take control of all of them, and that will be for the prosperity of the entire Indonesian people,” he explained.

Previously, Prabowo expressed astonishment at how many people nowadays are adept at ‘stealing’. He admitted he could not comprehend it and felt compelled to address the problem.

“I can’t wrap my head around it. My brothers and sisters, I feel called because from a young age I joined the military to protect this country, to defend this country, to defend my people. But I was shocked that after I retired, I saw that my people were still suffering greatly,” he said at the Labour Day event at Monas on Friday (1/5/2026).

He feels that the working class has always supported him. Prabowo even revealed that he could become President of the Republic of Indonesia thanks to the support of workers, farmers, and fishermen.

Prabowo attended the peak of the International Labour Day commemoration at Monas, Central Jakarta, on Friday (1/5/2026). Also present were, among others, the Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly Ahmad Muzani, Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Sufmi Dasco, ministers from the Red and White Cabinet, leaders of labour union organisations, and thousands of workers from various regions across the country.