Prabowo: Every Party Has Both Patriots and Scoundrels

Prabowo Emphasizes Unity Amid Political Diversity

Tempatdonasi.com – During a significant address at the National Cooperative Day celebration, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto highlighted the importance of maintaining harmony despite political differences. The event, held on Sunday, July 12, 2026, brought together representatives from various sectors at the Indonesia Arena within the Gelora Bung Karno Complex in Jakarta. The president’s message centered on the idea that political divisions should not translate into personal conflicts among citizens.

A Message of Togetherness

Prabowo, who also serves as the chairperson of the Gerindra Party, articulated his perspective on the composition of political organizations in Indonesia. He noted that within every political party, one can find both honorable individuals and those who fall short of expectations. This observation formed the foundation of his call for unity among the nation’s diverse political landscape.

“Why should we fight? We are one family, regardless of our background, ethnicity, or party affiliation. All parties have plenty of patriots and scoundrels,” he declared to the assembled audience.

The president emphasized that variations in ethnicity, social background, or political alignment should never serve as justification for disputes. His words resonated with the spirit of cooperation that the event aimed to promote, encouraging attendees to look beyond their differences and recognize their shared identity as Indonesians.

Addressing Cultural Expression

In a particularly engaging moment during his speech, Prabowo directly addressed Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti regarding the use of certain terminology in political discourse. The minister was briefly captured on camera and shown on screens positioned on either side of the stage, where he could be seen rising from his seat with a smile.

“Can the President use the word bajingan (scoundrel) or not? Can he? I’m not asking you, I’m asking the Minister of Education,” Prabowo remarked while gesturing toward the minister.

The president clarified that his use of the term was not meant to offend or show disrespect. Rather, he explained that it was simply an expression of enthusiasm and passion. He connected this linguistic choice to his Betawi heritage, noting that such expressions are natural for someone from his cultural background.

“Can I or not? This is not considered rude. Scoundrel, well, it’s a scoundrel. What language is that? The Betawi dialect, yes,” he explained with characteristic warmth.

Reflecting on National Character

Beyond the immediate exchange with the education minister, Prabowo urged the Indonesian people to embrace their inherent qualities of forgiveness and understanding. He cautioned against adopting negative cultural patterns such as insults, envy, and suspicion that could undermine social cohesion.

“Do not adopt a culture of insults, envy, or suspicion,” Prabowo advised the gathering.

He also reflected on whether the current political climate had shifted too quickly from cooperative values to campaign-style confrontations. His question—”Is this Cooperative Day, or has the campaign already begun?”—served as a gentle reminder of the occasion’s purpose and the importance of maintaining constructive dialogue.

The president’s address came at a pivotal moment in Indonesia’s political calendar, as the nation continues to navigate the complexities of democratic governance while honoring its traditions of mutual respect and cooperation. His words reinforced the idea that diversity in political opinion need not lead to division, and that understanding across differences remains essential for national progress.