President: Don't Use Your Cleverness to Enrich Other Nations

President of the Republic of Indonesia has delivered a harsh ultimatum to officials and intellectuals who lack a spirit of patriotism to step down from their positions. According to him, what the government needs are officials who are pro-small people.

“Choose, defend your people or choose to serve others. I will not tolerate those who are unpatriotic. No matter how clever you are, if you do not defend your own nation, there is no place for you around me, find others,” said the President in his speech at the Groundbreaking event for 13 Downstreaming Projects at Refinery Unit IV Cilacap, Central Java, on Wednesday (29/4/2026).

The President emphasised that the cleverness of scientists and technocrats should be used for the interests of the people. The number one citizen of Indonesia does not want cleverness to be used for things that harm the Indonesian nation.

“Don’t use that cleverness of yours to enrich other nations. We do not hate other nations, we do not want our people to remain poor because our money is taken abroad. If you want to, please do. Do not join the government that I lead,” said President Prabowo.

He also urged intellectuals to become “Red and White Professors” who stand to defend the people and do not use their cleverness to cover up corruption and the plundering of state funds. Prabowo also responded to parties who are sceptical or intend to leave Indonesia due to the national condition that is no longer ideal to live in.

“Some want to flee. Just flee. Flee to there. Maybe some want to flee to Yemen, please. Where do you want to flee to? Hey smart people, open the news, look, we are placed as the safest country in the world now,” he said.

According to Prabowo, his government only wants to work for the people. Therefore, individuals who do not have a vision in line are welcome not to join so as not to cause disturbance.