TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto attended the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) centennial gathering at Gajayana Stadium, Malang City, on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Prabowo delivered a 30-minute speech to the Nahdliyin (NU) congregation.
The Gerindra Party Chairman addressed numerous issues and rhetoric. Prabowo emphasized unity, claimed that natural resources were being stolen by foreign countries, and even claimed to protect the people. Prabowo also highlighted Saudi Arabia's move to change regulations for the construction of the Indonesian Hajj Complex there.
Here are some key points from Prabowo's speech:
1. Emphasize Unity for Peace
Prabowo emphasized unity to create peace. The Head of State stated that leaders must maintain harmony.
"NU always sets an example, NU always strives to maintain unity, and that is indeed a lesson from history. No nation is strong, no nation can progress if its leaders are not harmonious," Prabowo said.
Prabowo said that Indonesians are allowed to debate and compete, but ultimately must remain harmonious. He also called on all Indonesians to unite.
2. Prabowo Says Saudi Arabia Changed the Law to Allow Indonesia to Build a Hajj Complex
Prabowo said that for the first time, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has allowed another country to own land in the Holy Land. The Head of State claimed that Saudi Arabia even changed its law to allow Indonesia to build a Hajj complex in Mecca.
"I want to report here, before the ulama, before the extended Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) family, that Indonesia is honored for the first time, and has the right to own land in the holy city of Mecca. We will build a Hajj village in Mecca for Hajj pilgrims and those performing Umrah," Prabowo said in Malang, East Java, on Sunday, February 8, 2026, as broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel.
Prabowo guaranteed that Indonesian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims will receive the best service and decent accommodations while performing their pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. "There's no need to hesitate any longer, there should be no more fuss. The service will be the best, and I am determined to lower the cost of the Hajj for the Indonesian people," said Prabowo.
3. Claiming to be Dutifully Protecting the People
Prabowo emphasized that his primary duty as President of the Republic of Indonesia is to protect the Indonesian people. Prabowo explained that he was sworn in on October 20, 2024, to uphold the 1945 Constitution.
According to him, the 1945 Constitution mandates that the Indonesian government's first national duty is to protect the entire Indonesian nation and its entire territory.
The Head of State interpreted this mandate as protecting the Indonesian people from all threats. These threats include physical threats, poverty, hunger, threats to health services, and the lack of access to the best education for the Indonesian people.
4. Claiming to Be Bolder in Protecting the People with Nahdlatul Ulama
Prabowo Subianto said he is bolder in serving the Indonesian people because, he said, he has Nahdlatul Ulama behind him.
"Every time I appear among Nahdlatul Ulama, among female students (santri), among Islamic scholars (kyai), especially with the great kiai and ulama behind me, I feel increasingly emboldened to serve, dedicate myself to, and defend all the Indonesian people," said Prabowo on Sunday, February 8, 2026, as quoted from the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel.
The Head of State claimed he was always happy when he was with Nahdlatul Ulama. Prabowo said he felt a sense of calm from the Nahdliyin (NU) present.
5. Claims that Much Natural Resources Have Been Stolen by Foreigners
The Head of State stated that much of the country's wealth has been stolen from the country and taken abroad. He also urged all parties not to be afraid to call what is wrong wrong and what is right right.
He emphasized that he and the government he leads will not hesitate to eradicate all forms of corruption, fraud, manipulation, and "robbery" of the wealth of the Indonesian people. "I will not hesitate and I will not back down even a step," Prabowo said.
Ervana Trikarinaputri contributed for this article.
Read: Survey: Prabowo's Satisfaction Rate Reaches 79.9%
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