Prabowo: Smart People in Jakarta Don't Care About Fishermen

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said fishermen have long been overlooked by policymakers in the capital, pledging that his administration would give greater attention to coastal communities across the archipelago.

Prabowo made the remarks during a visit to the Merah Putih Fishermen Village in Leato Selatan District, Gorontalo, on Saturday, May 9, 2026.

“Fishermen are often forgotten. The smart people in Jakarta do not care about the fate of fishermen,” Prabowo said, according to a statement from the Presidential Secretariat.

The president did not elaborate on whom he meant by the “smart people” in Jakarta, but stressed that his government intends to prioritize the welfare of fishermen and farmers nationwide.

“It is time for change. The government will now pay attention to all fishermen and farmers throughout Indonesia,” he said.

During the visit, Prabowo also highlighted the risks faced by fishermen, saying their work involves significant uncertainty and danger at sea.

“I understand that fishermen face enormous risks. The sea is not something trivial. Weather and currents can change at any time. You risk your lives to provide food for your families, your communities, and your nation,” he said.

The former defense minister also reiterated his commitment to improving the welfare of Indonesian fishermen and ensuring they receive greater recognition for their contribution to the country.

Prabowo further stated that he does not want fish from Indonesian waters to be exploited by foreign vessels. According to him, Indonesia’s marine resources should primarily benefit Indonesians.

“We do not want foreign ships taking fish from our waters. We want our own people to benefit from them,” he said.

The chair of the Gerindra Party added that the government is preparing to build thousands of fishing vessels that will be managed through fishermen’s cooperatives. The vessels, he said, will range from small to large sizes.

“We will begin building 1,582 fishing vessels starting this year. These boats will later be distributed through cooperatives formed by fishermen and their families. We will determine how many fishermen will form each cooperative before providing the vessels,” Prabowo said.

According to Prabowo, Indonesia’s maritime wealth is a major national asset that must be managed properly to improve the welfare of coastal communities and strengthen the country’s economic sovereignty.

“Therefore, the government I lead will massively develop the fisheries and maritime sectors. Today, we call this the blue economy, or the blue ocean economy. It is extremely important. It is a gift from God, and we must be grateful by making major investments starting now,” he said.

Read: Prabowo: Indonesia Soon Self-Sufficient in Fuel, No Imports

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