Prabowo Says Indonesian Leaders Must Be Smart and Not Easily Deceived

President Prabowo Subianto delivers remarks at the reception marking 100 years of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor in Ponorogo, East Java. (Red/Pwt)

PEWARTA.CO.ID — President Prabowo Subianto said Indonesian leaders need broad knowledge and sound judgment so they can face challenges and avoid being easily deceived. He made the remarks during the reception marking the 100th anniversary of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor in Ponorogo, East Java, on Saturday, September 19, 2026.

“Indonesian leaders must be smart. Don’t let people deceive you. Don’t let yourselves be fooled,” Prabowo said during his speech, emphasizing the importance of knowledge in leadership.

Prabowo calls for knowledge and clear judgment

Prabowo said the next generation of Indonesians should have the courage to recognize their own shortcomings and weaknesses rather than relying on knowledge alone.

He argued that knowledge must also be accompanied by the ability to understand issues correctly, pointing to people with academic credentials who may still fail to recognize injustice.

“I am surprised that sometimes there are professors who cannot see injustice, professors who instead defend the interests of foreigners,” Prabowo said.

The president also urged Indonesians to maintain independent thinking and resist attempts to influence their views by people whom he described as having no good intentions toward Indonesia.

“Think freely. Do not allow yourselves to be brainwashed by those who do not have good intentions toward us,” he said.

Prabowo further encouraged Indonesians to approach challenges with confidence and determination rather than feeling inferior before making an effort.

“Do not have an inferiority complex. Do not feel defeated before you fight,” he said.

Panca Jiwa Gontor linked to nation building

During the centennial event, Prabowo connected the values of Gontor’s Panca Jiwa with Indonesia’s broader struggle to build a strong and independent nation.

The five principles are sincerity, simplicity, self-reliance, Ukhuwah Islamiyah, and freedom. Prabowo said these values were in line with Indonesia’s aspiration to stand on its own feet.

The centennial celebration also featured the inauguration of the Balai Pertemuan Pondok Modern and the Faculty of Medicine at Universitas Darussalam Gontor by Prabowo.

He was accompanied by Foreign Minister Sugiono, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar, and Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Brian Yuliarto, along with Hajj and Umrah Minister Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and Bank Indonesia Governor Destry Damayanti.