Prabowo Calls for Unity at National Christmas, Says Cooperation Does Not Mean Joining Government

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Prabowo Subianto calls for national unity on Monday, Jan 5, 2026 in Jakarta during the National Christmas 2025 celebration, saying cooperation among leaders is essential for Indonesia progress but does not require all political parties to join the government, a stance he said would strengthen democracy while ensuring effective governance. He said the message reflected his responsibility to serve the entire nation.

Speaking at Tennis Indoor Senayan, Prabowo said Indonesia already possessed great potential but could become far more prosperous if its leaders were willing to unite and work together despite political differences.

“Our country is great, our country is rich, and our country can become even more prosperous as long as its leaders are united and work together,” he said.

Prabowo stressed that unity should not be interpreted as forcing all political parties into the ruling coalition. He said cooperation could continue even if some parties chose to remain outside the government.

“Unity does not mean that everyone must join the government, no,” he said. “The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle can remain outside, that is fine, but cooperation must continue. I support Pramono Anung as governor of Jakarta.”

The president said that after his inauguration, he no longer belonged to a single party but to the entire Indonesian nation. He cited the free nutritious meals program as an example of policies implemented without regard to electoral results.

“Should free nutritious meals not reach West Sumatra just because I lost [the election] there,” he said. “That's nonsense. Did I prohibit free nutritious meals from going to Aceh? I also lost in Aceh. No, because now I do not belong to one party. I now belong to the entire Indonesian nation.”

Prabowo said the National Christmas celebration itself demonstrated Indonesia harmony and mutual respect amid diversity. He said the event was a personal honor and a reflection of national unity.

“This celebration is an honor for me,” he said. “This celebration proves that the Indonesian nation is harmonious and lives in unity. We respect one another as brothers and sisters.”

He pointed to historical examples of tolerance, citing Indonesia first president decision to appoint a Christian architect to design Istiqlal Mosque. Prabowo said such actions illustrated the deep roots of pluralism in Indonesia history.

“I am very proud of the examples set by our leaders,” he said. “President Sukarno built the largest mosque in the Republic of Indonesia, the Istiqlal Mosque, and he appointed a Christian as its architect. Where else does this happen.”

Prabowo also shared personal experiences reflecting interfaith cooperation, including the construction of a mosque in Hambalang involving Catholic architects and workers. He recalled leading soldiers from different religious backgrounds during his military service.

“When I was in the military, some of my troops were Hindu, some were Catholic, and some were Protestant,” he said. “When I ordered them to move forward, they did not ask questions, they carried out their duty.”

Addressing critics, Prabowo said he was not troubled by groups that continued to be cynical toward his administration. He said the government would respond to criticism through tangible results rather than rhetoric.

“We have a bright future even though there are groups who are cynical, and that is fine,” he said. “We will work with evidence, not with promises alone.”

He cited food self-sufficiency as proof of that approach, recalling his campaign pledge to achieve rice self-sufficiency within four years. He said the goal had been achieved in just one year, with Indonesia recording no rice imports in 2025.

“After December 31, 2025, I can proudly say that Indonesia has achieved rice self-sufficiency,” he said. “A four-year target was achieved in just one year.”

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Prabowo said the achievement also benefited the global market, claiming Indonesia decision not to import rice helped push down international prices.

“By not importing rice, global rice prices fell by hundreds of dollars,” he said. “Many countries thanked us for that.”

Reflecting on his political journey, Prabowo said his five years as defense minister under former president Joko Widodo served as a learning period that prepared him for the presidency.

“For me, those five years were a kind of apprenticeship and a period of learning,” he said.

He said leading a country as large as Indonesia required the best possible talent, explaining why he retained many ministers from the previous administration.

“Managing and leading a government for a country of this size must be done by the best sons and daughters of the nation,” he said.

Closing his remarks, Prabowo offered a personal apology to the Indonesian people if any of his words had caused offense. He reaffirmed his commitment to reducing poverty, easing hardship in disaster-affected areas, and improving national welfare.

“Personally, as Prabowo Subianto and as President of the Republic of Indonesia, if there are words of mine that were wrong or hurt anyone’s feelings, I sincerely ask for forgiveness,” he said. “We are working hard to improve the welfare of our people, and we truly believe we are on the right path, a path of justice and truth, solely for the good of all Indonesians.”