Prabowo labels journalists, observers as 'londo ireng' (traitors)

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has labeled journalists and observers as modern-day 'londo ireng,' a historical term used to describe indigenous Indonesians who collaborated with Dutch colonialists. Prabowo invoked this term during a speech at the 28th anniversary celebration of the National Awakening Party (PKB) on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

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But we are not children. We know there are Indonesian people who are happy to serve other nations. That's what we used to call 'londo ireng,' who fought with the Dutch against us. These 'londo-londo ireng' still exist today.

He asserted that these individuals, who he believes serve foreign interests, are actively engaged in a campaign to destabilize Indonesia. Prabowo stated, "We are not children. We know there are Indonesian people who are happy to serve other nations. That's what we used to call 'londo ireng,' who fought with the Dutch against us. These 'londo-londo ireng' still exist today," he said at the Jakarta Convention Center.

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Journalists, observers, NGOs.

Prabowo, who also leads the Gerindra Party, claimed that these groups now manifest in various forms, including "journalists, observers, NGOs." He questioned the funding of NGOs and the sources of income for individuals he suspects of working against national interests, asking, "Who pays your electricity, who pays your phone?"

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Who pays your electricity, who pays your phone?

The President further alleged that a significant campaign is underway to undermine the nation, with predictions of Indonesia's collapse circulating monthly. He noted that previous predictions of collapse in April, May, and June had not materialized. Prabowo attended the PKB event with Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, arriving at the venue shortly before 7:40 PM Western Indonesian Time.

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There are parties predicting that Indonesia will collapse.