Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Recognition Ceremony for 33rd SEA Games Athletes, the State Palace, Jakarta, January 8, 2026
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahiwabarakatuh,
Good afternoon.
May peace be upon us all.
Shalom.
Salve.
Om swastiastu,
Namo Buddhaya,
Greetings of virtue.
Distinguished Coordinating Ministers, Ministers, Heads of Institutions, Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), Vice Ministers, Vice Heads of Institutions, and all members of the Red and White Cabinet in attendance,
Distinguished Minister of Youth and Sports as the organizer, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Professor Pratikno, Minister of State Secretariat, Cabinet Secretary, Vice Minister of Youth and Sports, Special Envoy of the President for Development of Young Generation and Artists,
Chairpersons of sports federations in attendance—Chairperson of Wushu Indonesia Executive Board, who is also [Coordinating] Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, Chairperson of the Athletics Federation of Indonesia, who is also Head of the National Economic Council, Military General (Retd) Luhut Pandjaitan, Supervisor of the Indonesia Pencak Silat Federation Sugiono, Chairperson of the Indonesia Weightlifting Federation Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, Chairperson of the Indonesia Cycling Federation Police General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Chairperson of the Indonesia Archery Association Arsjad Rasjid, Chairperson of the Indonesia Basketball Association or the representative, Chairperson of the Badminton Association of Indonesia Police Commissioner General Fadil Imran, Chairperson of the Indonesian Volleyball Federation Police Commissioner General (Retd) Imam Sudjarwo, Chairperson of the Indonesia Judo Federation Military General Maruli Simanjuntak who is on duty in Aceh [province], [President of the Modern] Pentathlon Indonesia Purwoko Aji Prabowo. There are so many people named Prabowo, but they are all high achievers.
[Chairperson] of the Indonesian Roller Skating Federation Velix Vernando Wanggai, Chairperson of Taekwondo Indonesia Military Lieutenant General Richard Tampubolon, Chairperson of the Indonesia Triathlon Federation Armand van Kempen—sounds like a Dutch name, but he has tan skin. That’s alright.
[Chairperson of the] Indonesia Wrestling Federation Trimedya Panjaitan, [Chairperson of the] Indonesia Jet-Sport Boating Association Saiful Ihsan, [Chairperson of the] Indonesian Karate-do Federation Marshall (Retd) Hadi Tjahjanto, [Chairperson of the] Indonesia Futsal Federation Michael Sianipar–oh, you’re so far back.
[Chairperson of the] new Indonesia Mixed Martial Arts Federation Tommy Paulus Hermawan, Chairperson of the National Olympic Committee of Indonesia (KOI) Raja Sapta Oktohari,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, especially athletes, coaches, officials, and the Indonesian contingent for the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand in 2025,
Let us offer praise and gratitude to the Almighty God for the health He has bestowed upon us, allowing us to gather today at the State Palace and attend what we could call a report back.
As the Head of State, as the Head of Government, and personally, I would like to thank you all for your success in maintaining the honor of Indonesia.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the development of a state, in the struggle for national revival, sports are a reflection of the state’s success. Athletes chosen to represent their nation symbolize and signify the state of their nation. If the athletes are weak and give up easily, it illustrates that our nation is weak and gives up easily. That is how important the athletes chosen to represent a nation are. For that reason, I highly appreciate all of you, and I am very proud of each and every one of you.
I watched some of your performances. I did, and it was touching. Who did the 10,000 [meter] run? Is she here? The woman who did the 10,000-meter run. Is she not here? Was it a woman? I am very proud of her. She was way ahead of the others. I also watched the dragon… what is it called? Dragon boat [race]. It was very tense. I am proud of everyone. Extraordinary. I admire you all for representing us. I also watched other sports events. Thank you, once again.
I am not making a fuss of anyone. This is a matter of national reputation. That is why you saw all countries show enthusiasm to participate. In fact, Ladies and Gentlemen, some countries are willing to do anything to win.
I understand that some of you may have competed in sports where assessment is not entirely objective. You had given your best, but you did not receive the score you expected. I suppose that is normal. Do not feel disheartened. You had fought with all your might, and now you only have to figure out how to improve your achievements in the future.
Let me also thank the heads of sport disciplines who have fostered [the athletes] well. Without good guidance, these achievements would not have been possible. And your results… I suppose you can feel the state’s appreciation for its citizens who fight for the nation’s honor.
If we give appreciation in the form of money, it is meant for your savings in the future. It is not merely to pay for your services, no. It is our appreciation because to be at your level, you sacrificed your time, your energy, and other things that could have allowed you to live a good and relaxed life. You trained, and you fought instead. This is an appreciation for all of those things. An appreciation for your blood, sweat, and tears.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It requires a specific mindset to be an athlete. It requires an even more specific mindset to be an athlete chosen to compete on the international stage. Those who do not have the spirit cannot perform at the international level. When you are tired, exhausted, cramped, and about to give up, you find another source of strength and energy for the state, for your parents, for your friends, so you cannot give up. It shows.
Any equestrians here? Is there any equestrian here? Anyone here competed in eventing? Thank you. If I’m not mistaken, there were some from the military. How many? One? Three people? Thank you. National Defense Forces Commander, has their rank been promoted? Promote them to commissioned officers.
Oh, right, someone reminded me that the Chairperson of the Indonesian Climbing Federation Yenny Wahid is here too. I did not mention her name. This is a mistake. Who made the list? I apologize. Thank you. How many gold [medals] did you win? Extraordinary. Can their rank be promoted, Ms. Yenny? Yes, thank you. It turns out that athletes can get their ranks promoted.
I would also like to put a spotlight on one of the eventing athletes. This is the most dangerous and toughest kind of all equestrian sports. I received a report that one of the athletes just had an accident from getting kicked by the horse a few days [before the competition]. He got a rib fracture, so he competed with his hand over his ribs. He refused to give up and finished the competition. Afterward, he passed out. I believe this is the spirit that we must appreciate. I thank you, Commander. Commander, have him enrolled at the school to become a commissioned officer. Thank you.
Let me also thank our athlete who broke a world record, Rizki. Rizki won a gold medal at the Olympics. Since he won a gold medal at the Olympics, he was recruited into the military with the rank of second lieutenant. At the SEA Games, he brought gold again and broke a world record, so I received a report that the Commander proudly promoted his rank by two levels, from second lieutenant to captain, because he brought glory to the nation in the global stage. Thank you for your service.
Now, I appreciate the leaders. Thank you. Thank you is not enough. It is easy to say thanks. Thank you, but we need to truly respect and appreciate your hard work, and this is how we prove it. We gave you some savings. Please use it for good things. This is my message to you all. You are young. Do not use it for negative things. Do good. Save the money for your parents and for yourselves.
Captain Rizki, do you have a girlfriend? Not yet? Save up for later, so if you get married, you can have a decent house. Do save the money well, Ladies and Gentlemen.
That concludes my statement. That is all. Thank you, on behalf of the state and the nation. We respect all of you. Do train more for your future achievements. Our current challenge is Asian Games. The higher the stage, the tougher it is for athletes and for us, because we already set quite a tough benchmark. One billion (rupiahs) for a SEA Games gold medal. What would be the prize for Asian Games gold medals? The figure will be bigger, but I am not sure how much. I will check it with the Minister of Finance.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am proud of you all. Let me express my sincere gratitude on behalf of Indonesia. We are lucky to have enthusiastic young generations. I hope we can show our greatness in the Asian Games and the Olympics. Indonesia is a big and strong nation. Indonesia will rise. You are the symbol of our nation’s revival. Thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
May peace be upon us all.
Shalom.
Salve.
Om santi santi santi om.
Namo Buddhaya.
Greetings of virtue.
Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!
I thank you.
(DH/MMB)