Remarks of President of the Republic Indonesia During a Visit to the Red and White Fishers’ Village Facilities in South Leato Subdistrict, Dumboraya District, Gorontalo City, Gorontalo Province, May 9, 2026

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Peace and prosperity be upon us,
Shalom,
Salve,
Om swastiastu,
Namo Buddhaya. 

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, whom I respect and hold dear;
Distinguished Mr. Governor, Mr. Mayor, Regents, Former Governor  (of Gorontalo) Mr. Fadel (Muhammad);
Ladies and gentlemen.

Today, I had the opportunity to visit Gorontalo city. I wanted to see the fishing village, the Red and White Fishers’ Village that has already been initiated and developed in Gorontalo. And, from what I have seen earlier, you already have an ice-making machine here, cold storage facilities, and several other supporting facilities. It is our commitment to empowering all fishers across Indonesia. We want all fishers in Indonesia to have improved livelihoods and higher incomes, because they serve a very important role in the life of our nation. Their role is to provide protein by supplying fish. This is extremely important. And, the world today is in great need of fish, of protein.

That is why my administration will massively expand the fisheries and maritime sectors. The term we use now is the blue economy, the blue ocean economy. This blue ocean economy is very important. It is a blessing from Almighty God. We must be grateful, and now we must invest on a large scale. Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Mr. Trenggono, Mr. Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, is here with me. Earlier, we visited Miangas and will soon establish a fishing village there as well. I was also accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs. We just returned from the Philippines after attending the ASEAN Summit.

We are highly respected because we have achieved food self-sufficiency. We are self-sufficient in rice, corn, and many other commodities. We no longer need to import food from abroad. Our fishers have contributed greatly to this achievement, and we want to strengthen their role even further. This year, we will build and inaugurate fishing villages like this one. The total for this year is 1,386 (fishing villages). Next year, we will build another thousand, and after that, we will continue building a thousand every year. Across Indonesia, we have 12,000 fishing villages. This is a massive work, but we are a courageous nation.

People often criticize me. Prabowo this, Prabowo that. But, I have no hesitation. When it comes to the people, we cannot hesitate. We are on the right path. Our people must prosper. I want our fishers to live well. I want them to smile every day because they earn a good income. Starting this year, we will build 1,582 fishing boats. Later, we will distribute those boats. Fishers and their families will form cooperatives. It will be arranged, perhaps 30 fishers per cooperative or so, and then we will provide the boats. Some boats will be small, some medium-sized, and some large. We do not want foreign vessels taking fish from our waters. We want our own people to harvest them. Thank you.

Is that enough from me? Enough? What? More? Continue? What else should I talk about? How about in Gorontalo, has the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, already reached the schools? It has? Hm? Are there still schools that haven’t received it yet? Yes? Please make note of those schools. We will move quickly. The point is, this year, every school that needs it will receive the program. All of them. Schools that don’t need it, that’s fine too. Right? If the children come from wealthy families and don’t need it, that’s okay. No one is being forced. But we want our children to grow strong. We want them to be enthusiastic. We want them to be smart. We want them to study diligently. Correct?

How about it, Mayor and Regents? Have the schools in Gorontalo received smart digital [screens] already? Yes? One each? However, starting this year, every school will receive three more screens. I expect that by the end of this year, every school will have four classrooms equipped with what we call smart screens, as they truly are smart. We can use them interactively. Next year, we will add even more. Eventually, every classroom will have these smart screens. Ladies and gentlemen, teachers in remote areas can then receive support from the central government, including lesson materials, supplementary instruction, syllabi, educational assistance, and teaching resources, all delivered in real time. We will also be able to monitor classrooms across Indonesia from Jakarta. So if teachers are absent, we will know which teachers are not showing up.

Yes, education is extremely important for our children. We are going to build the entire country. Indonesia is in a strong position. Many countries are panicking, but we are not. We have already achieved food self-sufficiency, and soon we will achieve fuel self-sufficiency as well. We will no longer import fuel, ladies and gentlemen. We are a wealthy nation, but what matters now is that we must be able to control and manage our wealth properly. If we slack off or if our leaders are dishonest or careless, then our wealth can be taken by other nations.

I believe this is the end of my remarks. Thank you for your support and enthusiasm, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for welcoming me here. May Almighty God always protect all of you. I understand. I am a former soldier. I understand that fishers face enormous risks. The sea shows no mercy. Weather conditions can change suddenly, currents can shift. You risk your lives to provide food for your families, your communities, and your nation. For that, I’d like to thank you. That is why I am committed to improve conditions for and honor fishers across Indonesia.

Fishers are often forgotten. Intellectuals in Jakarta often do not care about the fate of fishers. But that is changing now. This Government will pay attention to all fishers and farmers throughout Indonesia. Thank you.

Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Thank you. Until we meet again. Next year, when your boats are even better, invite me back here. I want to see those boats.

I thank you. (FI/LW)