February 17, 2026 | 02:40 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto conveyed his greetings for Chinese New Year to all Indonesians celebrating the holiday. Prabowo posted the message on his X account, @prabowo, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
"Happy Chinese New Year 2577 Kongzili, February 17, 2026," said the Chair of the Gerindra Party. In his post, Prabowo also expressed his hopes for the new year.
Prabowo hopes that the Chinese New Year will bring prosperity to all Indonesian people. "May it bring health, peace, and prosperity to all of us," said the former high-ranking officer of the Indonesian National Armed Forces.
In addition to Prabowo, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya also extended his greetings for the Chinese New Year. "May we be blessed with abundant fortune and luck in the Year of the Fire Horse. Gong Xi Fa Cai!" said Teddy through the Instagram account of the Cabinet Secretariat.
Prabowo and Teddy were visiting the United States to meet with President Donald Trump while delivering the message. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia also accompanied President Prabowo as they departed from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in East Jakarta to Washington, D.C. on the previous Monday, February 16, 2026.
The government has declared a two-day national holiday for Chinese New Year this year on February 16-17, 2026. According to the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), this Chinese New Year holiday will boost economic productivity and increase household consumption.
Vice Chair of Kadin for Regional Autonomy Sarman Simanjorang estimated that the turnover during the two-day Chinese New Year holiday this year could reach Rp9 trillion. "This year's Imlek holiday will boost economic productivity and increase household consumption," said Sarman in a written statement on Monday, February 16, 2026.
This estimation is based on the various activities that people carry out during Chinese New Year. The initial calculation is the number of Indonesian people of Chinese descent, amounting to 11.25 million. This population, according to Sarman, is equivalent to 2.8 million families, assuming each family has four members.
Sarman stated that a family typically celebrates Chinese New Year with a communal dinner and sharing of angpao (red envelopes containing money). If each family spends Rp1 million on shopping for the Chinese New Year celebration, the potential turnover would reach Rp2.812 trillion.
Meanwhile, the estimated turnover of up to Rp9 trillion is supported by spending in other sectors as well. During Chinese New Year, Sarman said that spending on tourism, intercity transportation, and retail also increases.
Alfitria Nefi Pratiwi contributed to this article
Read: What Are President Prabowo's Priorities During His U.S. Visit?
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
What Are President Prabowo's Priorities During His U.S. Visit?
2 jam lalu
Prabowo will hold bilateral talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and attend the first High-Level Conference of the Board of Peace.
Why Civil Groups Are Pushing Indonesia Out of the Board of Peace
5 jam lalu
Activists said Indonesia should reconsider its participation in to maintain neutrality while pursuing a resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Here's the Indonesia-U.S. Trade Deal Set to Be Signed by Prabowo
6 jam lalu
Prabowo left for the United States on February 16, 2026, and is set to attend the Board of Peace summit on February 19.
Prabowo Says International Trade Talks Must Always Benefit Indonesia
19 jam lalu
Prabowo Subianto summoned a number of economic ministers from the Red and White Cabinet to his private residence in Hambalang yesterday.
Prabowo to Sign Reciprocal Trade Pact with Trump in the US
1 hari lalu
Indonesian President Prabowo's visit to the US will also include the signing of the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with President Donald Trump.
Prabowo Summons Economic Ministers, Discussing Foreign Trade Talks
1 hari lalu
President Prabowo Subianto is reportedly ready to sign a tariff agreement between Indonesia and the United States.
Prabowo Backs Decision to Pardon Corruption Convicts
1 hari lalu
In late July 2025, Prabowo decided to pardon Tom Lembong and Hasto Kristiyanto. Both were sentenced in separate corruption cases.
Prabowo Urges Danantara CEO to Conduct Regular Roadshows Abroad
2 hari lalu
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has urged Minister of Investment and CEO of Danantara Rosan Roeslani to regularly conduct outreach abroad.
Prabowo Jokes: I Fear Bureaucrats More Than Kuntilanak
2 hari lalu
President Prabowo emphasized the need for bureaucratic reformation as a way to combat corrupt practices in Indonesia.
Prabowo Clarifies He Does Not Encourage Hatred Toward Foreigners
3 hari lalu
Prabowo Subianto emphasizes the importance of learning from foreign strengths and achievements without promoting hostility toward foreigners.
