President Prabowo: Leaders Who Lie to the People Commit a Sin

President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto has asserted that a leader who lies to the people is a leader who commits a sin and betrays the nation’s interests.

Prabowo made the statement whilst launching the Mandatory B50 Biodiesel Programme at the KM 57 Rest Area, Karawang Regency, West Java, on Thursday (9/7). He made the remarks when touching upon the government’s achievements in realising food self-sufficiency.

“A government that lies to its people commits a sin. A leader who lies to his people commits a sin. A leader who is not loyal to the interests of the nation above all other interests is a traitor,” Prabowo said, as quoted by Antara.

According to Prabowo, there are still parties who belittle the importance of food self-sufficiency and accuse the government of not conveying the true situation to the public.

Prabowo stressed that the government must not lie to the people, including regarding the achievement of food self-sufficiency, which he believes has been successfully realised.

“Alhamdulillah, we have proven that we are capable of securing and producing food for our people. Alhamdulillah, we have achieved food self-sufficiency. Of a four-year target, we have succeeded in one year. Many parties belittle the importance of food self-sufficiency,” he said.

Prabowo also said that even before being inaugurated as president, he had emphasised to his core team and advisers the importance of achieving food self-sufficiency and energy self-sufficiency, including reducing dependence on food and fuel imports.

Beyond food and energy, Prabowo noted that water availability is one of the main factors determining a nation’s survival.

According to Prabowo, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) continues to carry out water drilling programmes in areas experiencing water shortages. Around 30,000 drilling points have been completed so far this year.

“To this day the TNI continues to search for water, the TNI keeps drilling for water in difficult places. This year alone, how many water holes have we drilled under the TNI Commander? Already 30,000, and we continue to address problems as they arise,” he said.