NGANJUK - President Prabowo Subianto considers Indonesia has considered itself a weak nation for too long. The statement was made when he inaugurated the operationalization of 1,061 Red and White Village/Neighborhood Cooperatives in Nganjuk, East Java, Saturday, May 16, 2026.
According to Prabowo, the Indonesian nation too often underestimated its own ability and believed more in anything that came from abroad.
"We have been suffering from a sense of inferiority for too long," said Prabowo.
He said that mental attitude made it difficult for many parties to believe that Indonesia was able to stand on its own strength.
"If you look at those from abroad, we are amazed. Those from our own nation we do not believe," he said.
Prabowo then gave an example of Indonesia's success in achieving food self-sufficiency. According to him, this achievement is often looked down on, even though Indonesia must guarantee the food needs of almost 287 million people.
"This is not a light job," he said.
Prabowo revealed that the target for food self-sufficiency was initially set four years. However, the government claims that the results were achieved much faster.
"They can produce in one year," he said referring to the government's agricultural team.
He also said that other countries are now starting to ask for rice and fertilizer from Indonesia. According to him, this condition proves that Indonesia is actually capable of becoming a great power.
In his speech, Prabowo emphasized that the development of 1,061 cooperatives in less than a year shows that Indonesia can move quickly when the government works together.
"If you have the will and strategy, we are able to make extraordinary things," he said.
Prabowo asked the Indonesian nation to leave the mentality of losing and start believing in their own abilities.
"We must not be a losing nation," he said.
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