Remarks of the President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Inauguration of 218 Bridges in Various Regions of Indonesia

Monday, March 9, 2026

via Video Conference from Hambalang, Bogor regency, West Java province

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,

Assalamu’alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Good afternoon,

Peace be upon us all,

Shalom,

Salve,

Om swastiastu,

Namo Buddhaya,

Greetings of virtue,

Rahayu rahayu.

Distinguished Chief of Staff of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) Army General Maruli Simanjuntak serving as Head of the Bridge Task Force, and the entire team on duty in Lhok Kuyun village, Sawang district, North Aceh regency, and those present via the video conference;

Distinguished officials of the Army Headquarters;

Distinguished Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia General (Ret.) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Commander of TNI General Agus Subianto, Distinguished Vice Commander of TNI General Tandyo Budi Revita;

Distinguished Cabinet Secretary of the Republic of Indonesia Infantry Lieutenant Colonel Teddy Indra Wijaya, Head of the Defense Logistics Agency Air Marshal Yusuf Johari;

Distinguished Commanders of Regional Military Commands throughout Indonesia, Commanders of Regional Military Commands (Korem)/Commanders of District Military Commands (Kodim) also present here;

Distinguished Police Officers, Regional Heads, Regents, Vice Regents, Mayors, and other Regional Government officials also present here, including the Regents of North Aceh, Aceh Tamiang, and Bireuen, Mayors of Langsa and Lhokseumawe, Vice Regents of Pidie and Pidie Jaya; those who I am proud of and love, all the TNI soldiers, wherever you are assigned;

All residents present here.

First of all, as people of faith, let us ceaselessly express our gratitude to Allah SWT, the Almighty God, the Lord of the universe. To Him alone do we pray and only Him do we ask for help. We are grateful for all the gifts, all the blessings, the health and peace given to us, so that we can gather this afternoon.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are aware that our country lies in a circle full of potential disasters. Geologically, we lie on the Ring of Fire, where many volcanoes are located. This also makes our country rich in many vital minerals and makes our soil fertile. However, from time to time, we must be prepared to face natural disasters. Therefore, in today’s event, the inauguration of 218 bridges that have been constructed for 2.5 months is an achievement. This is an outstanding achievement. This achievement demonstrates the dedication of all TNI personnel and all officers in disaster-affected areas and other areas that desperately need these bridges.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We realize that this nation still faces many obstacles, many difficulties, and many shortcomings. These shortcomings are those of our officials, bureaucrats, and officers. While many officers perform exceptionally well, on the other hand, there are still certain leaders who disappoint us with regard to their lack of sense of responsibility to the nation and state. We must acknowledge this; we must not always speak positively or sweetly. I want to convey this because we are aware and understand that our world is now full of dangerous dynamics, with wars erupting everywhere, in almost every region of the world, especially in the Middle East. Some time ago, we were aware of major wars in Europe, in Ukraine, and now almost the entire Middle East is affected.

Although we are geographically far from the regions, our earth is truly small; what happens in one region will affect other regions. Our nation, our country, is on the right track. We are on the path of impartiality. We have always been free and active, non-aligned, and we do not want to join any bloc. We respect all powers; we respect all countries; that is us, Indonesia. We uphold Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) at home, but abroad we respect all nations, all religions, all races, and all ethnic groups. This is what makes Indonesia now enjoy peace.

We can live side by side with hundreds of ethnic groups, and we can live in harmony. If one of our brothers and sisters is in difficulties, the entire nation shares the same feelings, and the entire nation stands ready to provide assistance. Disasters have hit our several regions, including North Sumatra, Aceh, and West Sumatra, as well as in other provinces like South Kalimantan, Java, and other places in Nusantara (archipelago). But we are grateful that as a nation, we are capable of overcoming them. We are capable of working together. We are capable of using our strength. We are capable of acting and moving quickly.

The Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Task Force has worked hard, particularly this Bridge Task Force. We inaugurate 218 bridges today. I express my gratitude on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, as President of the Republic of Indonesia, and also as an individual. I have formed this Task Force. I have assigned the Chief of Staff of the Army to lead it directly, a 4-star General to lead the construction of bridges, not only large bridges but also small ones. This once again serves as proof that the central Government, the Indonesian Government, is present, present from the smallest level, even in villages and hamlets. The Indonesian Government will not allow its people to live in suffering and hardship.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have proven that we do not hide behind regulations. We do not hide behind the existing system. We face difficulties with an attitude of confidence to overcome them. We must have the courage to overcome difficulties. We do not conceal our difficulties. We do not pretend that difficulties do not exist. As a consequence of the war in the Middle East, we must be prepared to face difficulties. But once again, we are grateful that Indonesia actually has strength. We have great power. But also, I have to be honest with all my people. And, I will also give a briefing to the entire Indonesian people in the near future.

On this occasion, I just want to say that our power, our extraordinary wealth should be better managed and controlled. Therefore, once again I state firmly that we must fight corruption at every level. Corruption, abuse of authority, fraud, collusion with naughty businesspersons, these cause leaks in our country, these cause loss in our wealth that we can use to face any disaster.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The whole world is shaking, the whole world. As a consequence of the war in the Middle East, frankly speaking, we have to be prepared to face difficulties. However, today I feel proud that we once again stand strong as the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, where the TNI, as one of its main pillars, has proven to all the people that the TNI is the people’s soldiers. The TNI is made up of soldiers with great fighting spirit. The TNI is our national soldiers, serving the entire Indonesian nation. From west to east, north to south, the TNI belongs to the entire nation. The TNI is above all groups and above all organizations.

Therefore, the inauguration of these bridges serves as the proof of the TNI’s discipline, the TNI’s spirit, the TNI’s love for its people and nation, the TNI’s oath to be willing to die, willing to sacrifice own life and body for the safety of the nation. I think this is the meaning of the inauguration of these bridges. Frankly, I didn’t expect so many bridges to be completed in such a short time. I am proud of the achievements of all the officers of the Bridge Task Force, wherever you are. I ask the Head of the Task Force to give me names of all personnel from all elements who have contributed their energy, thoughts, and efforts to complete this enormous task.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Perhaps some people see these suspension bridges, which span about a few dozen or even tens of meters, as non-strategic. Some people want to build grand monuments, skyscrapers, and luxurious buildings. No. The government I lead is proud that we are addressing the challenges faced by our people in the lowest levels of society, our remotest and most isolated people.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for your effort. Thank you for your hard work. Now, I sleep better because children in remote villages no longer have to cross rivers in dangerous situations. Our children in remote areas no longer have to sit in class in wet clothes, or come home from school in wet clothes.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This is what it means: the suspension bridges in remote areas that are only a few meters wide and a few meters long are truly strategic for the government I lead. The interests of the people are our utmost priority. Ladies and Gentlemen, Chief of Staff of the Army, Commanders, Korem Commanders, Kodim Commanders, Koramil Commanders, Babinsa Commanders, Brigade Commanders, Battalion Commanders, convey my thanks as your President, as your Supreme Commander. I would like to express my gratefulness, my pride, my respect, and let me convey that I lead soldiers who love the people so much, who are so spirited, so brave to sacrifice everything for the interests of the nation and people that we love.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We live in a world full of danger, the great powers are at war and can drag other nations into difficult situations. Once again, I say, I have seen and have studied the figures, the data about our wealth. Every day we discover new sources of our wealth. We will face difficulties, I won’t deny it, but we have strength. I think, we’ll come out stronger. We will come out from this crisis stronger and more prosperous, more productive, more independent. We are very grateful for the blessings that God the Almighty has given us.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Amid the war everywhere and with fuel prices soaring which can affect food prices, we are grateful that we are self-sufficient, almost achieving food self-sufficiency, that we have long been struggling for. We have already achieved rice self-sufficiency, as rice is our staple food. But we will also soon reach our capacity to meet our protein needs. Whatever happens, and even if other nations face difficulties, at least we are secure in terms of food.

Moreover, regarding fuel, I have been fighting for energy self-sufficiency for years. We have a great gift from God the Almighty that will enable us to meet our fuel needs, not from imports, but from our own crops: oil palm, cassava, corn, and sugar cane. Ladies and Gentlemen, we must work hard, we must keep harmony, and we must stand united in facing the crisis.

Once again, Chief of Staff of the Army, please send my gratitude, the Government’s gratitude to all personnel working in the field, for this achievement and for this hard work. If, indeed, you can achieve your target by the end of this year, and next year we can complete almost all bridges that people need in all regions, especially those affecting the needs of our people in remote villages, it means that you have made a great contribution to the nation. That’s all I need to convey to you.

Thank you to the regional governments for your assistance. Thank you to all institutions and all parties for your cooperation. This is what we must continue to prove. We are strong in unity. We will face all difficulties in unity. We will free from all crises. I believe and am certain we will emerge from all crises better and stronger. Thank you.

Good luck with your work. Keep fighting. Go on with your extraordinary service.

Wassalamu’alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, 

Peace be upon us all,

Shalom,

Salve,

Om santi santi santi om,

Namo Buddhaya,

Greetings of virtue,

Rahayu rahayu.

And by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this afternoon, Monday, March 9, 2026, I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, hereby inaugurate 77 Bailey Bridges, 59 Armco Bridges, and 82 Pioneer Bridges.

Wassalamu’alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. 

Thank you.

Independence! Independence! Independence!

Thank you.

(JAS/TM)