Prabowo: Kritik Silakan, Tapi Fitnah itu Tidak Bagus

President Prabowo Subianto speaks at the 2025 Christmas Celebration Summit in Jakarta, Monday (5/1/2026). ANTARA/HO-Presidential Secretariat

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto stated that unity is not contrary to the principle of democracy, as long as there is still room for constructive criticism and correction.

The Head of State in his remarks at the 2025 Christmas Summit Celebration in Jakarta, said democracy was healthy when criticism was delivered honestly, not through slander that could divide the nation.

"Some say that unity is not democratic. Well, democracy please, please correct, good criticism. But, slander is not good," said the President, followed by the Presidential Secretariat online (online) in Jakarta.

President Prabowo conveyed that all religions teach the prohibition of lying and spreading slander.

Prabowo cited teachings in Christianity that affirm the prohibition of lying, as well as teachings in Islam that call slander more cruel than murder.

Lies that create suspicion, division, and hatred, said the President, can damage the joints of common life.

The Head of State emphasized the importance of an open attitude towards criticism.

The President said he was grateful when he received corrections because it actually helped and "secured" him in carrying out his duties.

Although it is admitted that it is not always comfortable, criticism and correction according to the President is a form of concern, such as when his subordinates remind him of uniforms that are not neat or attributes that are not complete.

Prabowo said the courage of subordinates to correct was not a form of disobedience, but an effort to maintain the authority and responsibility of the leadership.

"Lho, this is the staff who dares to correct? But, he corrected to secure me," he said, inviting all elements of the nation to distinguish between constructive criticism and slander that destroys unity.