Referencing Dadan and Pontjo Sutowo, Prabowo Asserts He Will Not Protect Close Associates Involved in Corruption: I Have No Friends, This is the State!
President Prabowo Subianto has reaffirmed his commitment to the eradication of corruption. He stated that personal closeness must not serve as a reason for anyone to receive protection when facing legal proceedings.
Prabowo even cited Dadan Hindayana as an example. According to him, Dadan was part of his campaign team as well as his expert team before being appointed as the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).
However, when Dadan became involved in an alleged corruption case regarding the management of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Programme, Prabowo admitted that he did not provide any protection.
“I have proven it. Mr Dadan was my campaign team, my expert team. I was the one who appointed him as Head of the BGN. I was also the one who handed him over to the prosecutor’s office,” said Prabowo during the ‘President Answers’ programme, as quoted in Jakarta on Wednesday, 16 September 2026.
Prabowo made these remarks while explaining his stance towards individuals who have close ties to him. He emphasised that the interests of the state must always be placed above personal relationships.
In addition to Dadan, Prabowo also touched upon the issue of the Sultan Hotel. He mentioned that Pontjo Sutowo, who is linked to the ownership of the hotel, is his acquaintance.
Nevertheless, according to Prabowo, that relationship does not lead him to disregard the state’s interests regarding the Sultan Hotel assets.
“How many [cases] have I handed over, and how many assets have we seized? Regarding the Sultan Hotel, wow, many have lobbied me. Mr Pontjo might be considered a prominent figure, and he is indeed my friend. But I have no friends; this is the state,” he said.
The government previously took over the management of the Sultan Hotel through the Gelora Bung Karno Complex Management Centre (PPKGBK). The Palace clarified that this step was a transfer of management, not a closure of the hotel.
Prabowo further revealed that he has held this same principle even before becoming President. Since serving as Minister of Defence since 2019, he admitted that he had requested his family and close associates within the Gerindra Party not to seek business opportunities within the Ministry of Defence environment.
Since assuming the Presidency, Prabowo also admitted to warning Gerindra cadres not to use their proximity to him as a shield when facing legal issues.
“As soon as I became President, I said, be careful, brothers, Gerindra. Do not think that because I am President, if you are wrong, I can protect you. I am telling you upfront,” said Prabowo.