Prabowo: There is a Phenomenon of Community Groups That Are Very Unwilling to Cooperate with the Government
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stated that there are community groups reluctant to cooperate with the government in building the nation.
“There is one phenomenon that we all feel, that there are groups in society, our brothers too, our fellow citizens too, part of the large NKRI family too, who have or adopt an attitude that can be said to be very unwilling to cooperate,” said Prabowo during his briefing at the State Palace on Wednesday (8/4/2026).
In this regard, the Head of State described these groups when villagers are working together to build a bridge.
“Those who want to build the bridge, come on, let’s build the bridge, those who don’t want to join in building the bridge, no problem. Please, brother, sit down, watch, or whatever,” explained Prabowo.
The Chairman of the Gerindra Party underlined that these groups are allowed to voice criticism.
However, he highlighted an attitude that criticises without contributing.
“I also don’t understand, when people are building a bridge, there’s someone sitting down, he doesn’t want to build the bridge, but he criticises. ‘You’re stupid, you’, ‘the wood is wrong, don’t put it there’, ‘the nail is wrong, it should be here’, ‘the chain is wrong’. Everything is wrong. But the bridge never gets built. Right?” he said.
“We who are building the bridge, what is our attitude? Do we get flustered? ‘You’re stupid, making a stupid bridge’. Yes, I’m stupid, but the people, the village, ask for a bridge, I build a bridge for our people,” he concluded.
According to him, this phenomenon does not only occur in Indonesia, but also in various countries.
Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya stated that the meeting agenda would begin at 14.00 WIB.
“Yes, that’s right, so later at 14.00 at the Palace. Mr President is gathering all members of the Merah Putih Cabinet along with all Echelon 1 officials from ministries/institutions, all Directors General/Deputies as well as CEOs of SOEs,” said the Cabinet Secretary to reporters on Wednesday.
He explained that Prabowo feels it is important to give directions to his subordinates up to Echelon I.
“Mr President feels it is important to convey directly to all Echelon One because we are all a unity. In a ministry, there is a minister, supported by Echelon One and the ranks below them,” said Angga.
Furthermore, Angga conveyed that Prabowo will give a briefing on various strategic government programmes.
“The President will certainly deliver a briefing on strategic matters, about government policies, state administration, updates on the current situation. Of course, strategic matters will be conveyed by Mr President. So we’ll wait after the event,” said Angga.