Prabowo: We Must Learn from Abroad, but Not Be Naive

President Prabowo Subianto stated he has no intention of encouraging Indonesians to hate foreigners. According to him, Indonesia should in fact learn from foreign parties. Prabowo made the remarks in his speech at the inauguration and groundbreaking of the National Police Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) as well as the inauguration of a food security warehouse at the Palmerah Police Station in West Jakarta.

The head of state claimed the free nutritious meal (MBG) program reflects the beginning of Indonesia’s resurgence. He is confident that MBG is steering Indonesia in the right direction. “Our economy is the economy of the nation’s founders. Our economy is the economy of the 1945 Constitution. We are on the right path,” Prabowo said at the National Police SPPG in Palmerah, West Jakarta, on Friday, February 13, 2026.

Prabowo then claimed Indonesia would achieve success and would surprise—while disappointing—those who want Indonesia to remain downtrodden. The Gerindra Party chairman went on to say he has no intention of influencing people to be hostile toward foreigners.

“I have never urged you to hate foreigners. You must not be afraid or suspicious. We must learn from foreign powers, but don’t be gullible, don’t be naive. No other nation is happy or pleased to see us prosper,” he said.

On the occasion, Prabowo claimed a number of benefits from the MBG program. His administration’s priority program, he said, has revived smallholder farmers. He noted that farmers had always worried about whether the market would absorb their harvests.

“They now have confidence in their income. Before, at harvest time, they didn’t know who would buy their produce. Now their production is guaranteed to be absorbed. I have even received reports that there is now competition. Vegetable farmers no longer have to struggle—sometimes their produce is bought right at the field,” Prabowo said.