Prabowo Uses Bridge-Building Analogy to Slam Uncooperative Critics

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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday criticized what he described as an uncooperative segment of Indonesian society, comparing them to villagers who refuse to help build a much-needed bridge but later complain about how it is constructed.

Prabowo made the remarks during a working meeting attended by ministers, deputy ministers, heads of government agencies, and state-owned enterprise officials at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The meeting brought together hundreds of senior officials from across the government.

In his speech, Prabowo said such behavior was a common phenomenon, not only in Indonesia but in many societies.

“There is a phenomenon that we all experience, where there are certain groups in society, our brothers and sisters, our fellow citizens, members of our larger national family, who display what can be described as a highly uncooperative attitude,” Prabowo said from the podium.

The president, who also chairs the Gerindra Party, said he respected their position and had no issue with people choosing not to participate.

To illustrate his point, Prabowo used the analogy of villagers working together to build a bridge. He said that when a village agrees a bridge is needed, there are sometimes people who choose not to take part in the construction.

“Those who want to build the bridge, let’s build it. Those who don’t want to join in, that’s fine. Please sit, watch, do whatever you want. You can criticize too, that’s okay,” he said.

However, Prabowo said he found it difficult to understand why some people who refused to help would later criticize the work, often in harsh or insulting terms.

He mimicked such criticism by saying: “You dumb. The wood is wrong, it should be placed here. The nail is wrong, it should go there. The chain is also wrong.”

According to Prabowo, constant criticism without participation will not help complete the “bridge,” and those who are committed to the work should not be discouraged by such attacks.

He also addressed the use of harsh language by critics, saying he was willing to accept insults as long as the work was done for the public good.

“Yes, maybe I’m an idiot. But the villagers need a bridge, so I will build a bridge for our people,” he said.

Prabowo added that the phenomenon was not new and should not be seen as unique to Indonesia. He said similar patterns had existed for centuries, including during the colonial era, when some Indonesians collaborated with foreign rulers.

“They are also our brothers and sisters. This is not a new phenomenon. It is normal,” he said.“Jealousy, envy, admiration of others, these are part of human nature. So are hatred, revenge, and resentment.”

As of the time this report was written, Prabowo was still speaking before senior officials at the palace. For the working meeting, he invited all ministers, deputy ministers, heads and deputy heads of agencies, and first-echelon officials, with hundreds attending the session on Wednesday afternoon.

A day earlier, on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, Prabowo had also held a separate meeting at the palace with several ministers and agency heads ahead of the broader briefing.

Among those seen attending Tuesday’s meeting were Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman, and Minister for Higher Education, Research, and Technology Brian Yuliarto.

Also present were State-Owned Enterprises Supervisory Board head Dony Oskaria and Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo.

After Tuesday’s meeting, Airlangga said he had discussed economic matters with the president and that the results would be presented at Wednesday’s larger working session involving ministers and first-echelon officials.

“Tomorrow, it has been requested to be presented,” Airlangga said after the meeting.