Prabowo's Coffee Hunt on the Podium Steals Spotlight at DPR Plenary Session

Prabowo began by noting that the government seeks to boost the private sector’s role in the national economy. He cautioned, however, that large companies must operate properly and be able to compete globally.

‘Ladies and gentlemen, conversely we must not think that the state will do everything. We want to foster a larger private sector—large, but right, not large and wrong. We must also acknowledge the achievements of many of our companies that can compete at the global level,’ Prabowo said in a speech at the DPR/MPR building, Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday (20 May 2026).

He then saluted several Indonesian firms perceived to have penetrated international markets, including noodles and coffee. Prabowo quipped that the success is also due to the president promoting a coffee-drinking culture.

‘Nonetheless, companies like Indofood have been marketed to the whole world; if I go to Europe, many Europeans seek Indomie, and many African countries regard it as a brand product,’ he said.

‘Likewise, a company like Mayora has succeeded in marketing Kopiko in more than 100 countries, because they have a brand ambassador, and the president also promotes coffee drinking everywhere,’ he added.

After saying this, Prabowo appeared to look around, searching for coffee near the podium. Once found, he asked the presiding officer for permission to take a drink.

‘But I understand, the organising committee of the DPR knows that… oh there is coffee provided on the podium,’ Prabowo said.

‘Please allow me to drink, Madam Speaker (DPR),’ he told Puan Maharani, who received applause from the DPR members present.

In his speech, Prabowo also mentioned other local brands such as Es Teler 77. He even teased his Gerindra party colleagues about creating a competitor to that brand with the number 88.

‘There is Es Teler 77 as well; if Gerindra members do not want to create a rival to Es Teler 88,’ Prabowo remarked, drawing laughter from the chamber.

Prabowo then apologised to Puan for the joke, saying it was intended to boost the dampened energy of the chamber.

Wearing glasses, he scanned the room to see if any Gerindra members had fallen asleep during the proceedings.

‘Apologies, Madam Speaker, so the assembly will not become drowsy. I reserve rights for Gerindra, so I will check whether any Gerindra members are asleep,’ he said.