Prabowo Vows to Punish Generals Shielding Illegal Mines, Warns Food Hoarders and Corrupt Officials

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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto vows to prosecute illegal mining networks and anyone shielding them, warns food hoarders and price manipulators of jail terms and fines, and calls for tighter oversight to stem corruption, in a national address to parliament on Friday, Aug 15, 2025.

He delivers the remarks at the Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly and the Joint Session of the House of Representatives and the Regional Representatives Council in Senayan, Jakarta, saying he has received reports of 1,063 illegal mines causing losses of Rp 300 trillion, equivalent to about $18.7 billion.

Illegal Mining Crackdown

Prabowo says the clean-up will reach serving and retired officers accused of protecting illicit operations. “I have been given reports that there are 1,063 illegal mines and the potential losses to the state are at least Rp 300 trillion,” he says, adding that enforcement will be carried out “without fear or favor” and asking all parties in the legislature to support the effort for the public good.

He also highlights an oil palm estate that courts ordered confiscated 18 years ago but has never been executed. He says he has instructed the Indonesian National Armed Forces to secure the takeover after repeated resistance on the ground.

Prabowo warns senior officers explicitly. “I am giving a warning, whether powerful figures or generals from the military or police, or former generals—there is no excuse. We will act in the name of the people,” he says.

As chairman of the Gerindra Party, Prabowo urges party members to act as justice collaborators if they find officials involved in illegal mining or plantations. “Even if you are Gerindra, I will not protect you,” he says.

 

Food Supply Enforcement

Turning to consumer protection, Prabowo says his administration will act firmly against the manipulation and hoarding of staple goods. “The government I lead will not hesitate—we will always be firm with those who break the rules, who make people’s lives difficult, who seek outrageous profit on the suffering of ordinary people,” he says.

He cites Law No. 7 of 2014 on Trade, specifically Article 107 in conjunction with Article 29 paragraph 1, which provides for a maximum five-year prison sentence and/or a fine of up to Rp 50 billion, about $3.1 million, for keeping basic goods or essential items in certain quantities and for certain periods during shortages, price spikes, or distribution disruptions. He says companies and individuals who manipulate supplies will face legal proceedings and, under the president’s constitutional authority, assets may be seized to protect the public interest.

Corruption Warning

Prabowo characterizes corruption as a systemic risk that flourishes when power lacks scrutiny. “We understand human history: power without oversight becomes corrupt. Absolute power becomes absolutely corrupt,” he says. He adds that, 299 days into the Merah Putih Cabinet, he has a clearer view of the scale of challenges and the sectors most vulnerable to abuse. “This is not good, but I must report it to the representatives of the Indonesian people,” he says.

He underscores that corruption has infected multiple layers of the bureaucracy, from echelon officials to senior executives at state-owned enterprises, and calls for stronger transparency and supervision to prevent misuse of authority.

Prabowo appears in a black suit and blue tie for the session, arriving at the parliamentary complex in Senayan with Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. He is greeted by Speaker MPR Ahmad Muzani, Speaker DPR Puan Maharani, and Deputy Speaker DPD Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin, with former Presidents Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Joko Widodo also attending.

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