TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto urged the people not to always follow foreign interests. Prabowo expressed this during his speech at the great harvest event of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in Malang, East Java, on Friday.
Initially, Prabowo stated his intention to increase ethanol factories in Indonesia as an effort to develop oil fuel with ethanol blends. Then, he conveyed that Indonesia can now mix fuel with up to 20 percent ethanol, or E20.
However, he pointed out that the problem is that Indonesia only has one ethanol factory. Thus, Prabowo has decided to build up to 50 factories. He also questioned the readiness of Indonesia to the audience present at the grand harvest event.
"Indonesia can do it, right? Those who don't want to, it's okay. Just sit. Watch, yes. But, don't always succumb to foreign powers, like that," said Prabowo at the TNI's great harvest event, on Friday, July 17, 2026, as broadcasted live on the President's Secretariat's YouTube channel.
In his speech, Prabowo once again mentioned the Dark Indonesia movement. The Dark Indonesia campaign has been used to echo the narrative of dissatisfaction with the country's condition.
"Indonesia is bad. What about Indonesia? Indonesia is dark. If you wear dark glasses, then it's always dark," said Prabowo.
The former Defense Minister then mocked those who believe Indonesia will collapse. "Every month Indonesia will collapse, they say. June will collapse, now it's already July," Prabowo said.
Prabowo also affirmed that his government will continue to work towards national development targets. He added, "We work with a cheerful spirit, an optimistic spirit. Brave people are cheerful, brave people are optimistic. Sad people just sit in their rooms."
Read: Prabowo Pushes E20 Fuel Plan, Eyes Construction of 50 Ethanol Plants
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