en.malanginspirasi.com — President Prabowo Subianto delivered a pointed message during the National Mandate Party’s (PAN) 28th anniversary celebration at the Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC) on Friday evening.
He reaffirmed his commitment to ending hunger, poverty, and stunting in Indonesia while sharply criticizing certain critics he labeled as self-proclaimed experts.
In his speech, Prabowo declared that his oath as president is to build a prosperous Indonesia where no child goes to school hungry, no family struggles with a sick child due to poverty, and no Indonesian suffers from stunting that weakens bodies and minds.
“I swear to see Indonesia prosperous. That’s my oath,” he said. “It’s up to the experts who consider themselves experts. So smart, so smart that they become stupid.”
The remark drew enthusiastic applause and cheers from the crowd of PAN cadres and supporters.
Prabowo linked the criticism to Islamic teachings, noting PAN’s religious foundation and referencing Surah Al-Baqarah verse 191, which he said describes slander as worse than murder.
Also Read:
“There are some experts, some experts are so expert that they throw out slander,” he continued. He added that he would forgive those who realize their mistake but stressed the need for intellectual honesty: “If you have intelligence, if you have expertise, don’t forget that a scholar must be honest. That’s called intellectual honesty.”
The video of the speech spread rapidly online because he used the term ‘goblok’ as it is very rude word in Bahasa Indonesia.
Some netizens drawing comparisons to the film Don’t Look Up—in which experts are ignored amid crisis—and expressing concerns about a broader “death of expertise” in public discourse.
Others defended the president’s focus on results over endless commentary.
Netizen Reactions on X
Reactions on X (formerly Twitter) were polarized and immediate
“Prabowo didn’t want to be critized”
“Look at those audience, laughing and giving applause..this is how our politicians”
“How can he talk rude like that..such term is very impolite”
Prabowo has previously commented on critics and “smart” commentators on social media and podcasts, often framing constructive input as welcome but distinguishing it from what he views as baseless attacks.
The latest remarks come as his administration continues to push flagship programs aimed at food security and child nutrition, which have themselves drawn both praise and expert scrutiny in the past.
