President pledges clean governance as systemic corruption drains hundreds of trillions annually
President Prabowo Subianto has expressed shock at the scale of corruption in Indonesia, calling it “very troubling” and pledging to lead a clean government to restore the nation’s strength.
Shock at the Depth of Corruption
Speaking at the closing of the sixth National Conference (Munas VI) of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) at Hotel Sultan, Jakarta, on September 29, 2025, Prabowo admitted he was stunned by the extent of corruption he discovered after assuming the presidency. He described it as a systemic form of theft that has outsmarted even Indonesia’s brightest elites.
Losses Reaching Hundreds of Trillions
Prabowo revealed that corruption costs the state staggering sums each year, with individual cases involving trillions of rupiah. He noted that the most damaging form of corruption often appears “semi-legal,” disguised as legitimate but effectively plundering national wealth. While cautious about revealing exact figures, he said the losses run into the hundreds of trillions of rupiah annually.
A Systemic Robbery of the Nation
The President likened the corruption problem to “systemic robbery,” exploiting institutional weaknesses and elite complacency. He criticized past national leaders for failing to stop manipulative practices that eroded state finances. “Even those we thought were intelligent and brilliant have been outsmarted by corruptors, fraudsters, and manipulators,” he said.
Commitment to a Clean Government
Prabowo stressed that only a clean government could enable Indonesia to rise above the problem. He pledged to summon the Attorney General and all law enforcement bodies to intensify the fight against corruption. “I am determined to uphold a clean government. Only then can Indonesia stand strong,” he said firmly.
Enduring National Resilience
Amid his stark warnings, Prabowo reminded Indonesians of their resilience through decades of ideological battles, internal conflicts, and external threats. He praised the unity that has kept the nation intact for 80 years, noting: “Alhamdulillah, we are still standing on our own feet today.”
Political and Cabinet Presence
The event was attended by several key political figures and ministers from the Merah Putih Cabinet, including Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Democratic Party Chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Manpower Minister Yassierli, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
Prabowo’s candid remarks highlight the depth of Indonesia’s corruption crisis and his intent to mobilize state institutions against systemic theft. For Indonesia and its neighbors, his stance signals a drive toward cleaner governance, vital for strengthening investor confidence, economic stability, and regional integrity.
Sources: Tirto.id (2025) , Kompas.com (2025)
Keywords: Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia Corruption, Clean Government, Systemic Theft, National Losses, Elite Weakness
