Prabowo Uses Analogy: Some Oppose Bridge but Busy Criticising

President Prabowo Subianto discussed the phenomenon of criticisms against his government. He stated that he has no issue with emerging criticisms and emphasised the continued focus on serving the people.

This was conveyed by Prabowo at the Government Working Meeting at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday (8/4/2026). Prabowo initially mentioned that he had studied reports from his subordinates indicating that the nation’s condition remains stable amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

“I have studied the data and figures, and this is a good opportunity. After studying the numbers and receiving reports from my ministers, our situation is quite secure,” said Prabowo.

Prabowo then touched on criticisms arising from certain groups towards the government. He viewed it as unproblematic if certain groups do not wish to cooperate with the government.

“Indeed, there is a phenomenon that we all feel, that there are groups in society—our brothers and sisters, part of the greater NKRI family—who hold a stance that can be described as very unwilling to cooperate. We respect that; we have no problem,” he stated.

Prabowo analogised it to the communal effort of building a bridge in a village, where some parties are reluctant to help but continue to criticise.

“I say, in a certain place, a village, seeing the need for a bridge, then the majority collaborate in gotong royong to build the bridge, but there is a group that does not want to build the bridge—but that’s fine, go ahead,” said Prabowo.

Prabowo expressed bewilderment towards groups unwilling to cooperate with the government. He observed that these groups are busy launching criticisms. He urged the entire government apparatus to stay focused on fulfilling the people’s requests.

“But I also don’t understand: there are people who want to build a bridge, 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 nails are wrong, the chains are wrong.’ Everything is wrong. So, for those of us who want to build the bridge, what is our attitude? Do we get nervous? ‘You’re stupid, you’re building the bridge, stupid.’ Yes, I’m stupid, but the people need this bridge, yes, I build the bridge. So this is the phenomenon,” he said.