Prabowo Asks Journalists to Leave Convention Speech for 'Heart-to-Heart' Talk with Academics

President Prabowo Subianto requested journalists to leave a convention hall while he was delivering a speech to thousands of academics. The event, the Science, Technology, and Industry Convention, was held at the Jakarta International Convention Center on Friday.

“

With all due respect, I invite the journalists to have coffee outside.

Prabowo addressed academics on topics ranging from national development to international affairs. Although the event was initially open to media coverage for the first 30 minutes, the president asked reporters to leave midway through his remarks. "With all due respect, I invite the journalists to have coffee outside," Prabowo stated, suggesting that Minister Brian Yuliarto had arranged refreshments. He expressed a desire to speak more openly and "heart to heart" with the academics, without media presence.

“

I believe Mr. Brian (Higher Education, Science, and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto) has prepared good coffee for you.

Before the media's departure, Prabowo emphasized the critical role of academics in national progress, asserting that nations seeking advancement must leverage the potential and expertise of their universities. He claimed his administration actively involves academics in policymaking and highlighted the importance of unity among national leaders and elites for Indonesia's advancement. The "National Dialogue" session was part of a three-day convention themed "Strategies for Indonesia’s Economic Self-Reliance and Prosperity."

“

Journalists, with all due respect, media colleagues, today I want to speak heart to heart with the professors.