Prabowo's Joke About Cabinet Secretary Teddy: Colonel Directing the President

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto made a lighthearted joke about Cabinet Secretary Colonel Teddy Indra Wijaya, who directed him during a speech at the National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) of the Regional Financial Access Acceleration Team (TPAKD).

This remark came after Teddy signaled for Prabowo to conclude his speech.

Prabowo humorously noted that Teddy, holding the rank of lieutenant colonel, was able to instruct a president.

"This is Mr. Teddy the Cabinet Secretary, giving the signal, 'That's enough, Mr. President.' A lieutenant colonel directing the president," Prabowo joked during the TPAKD Rakornas at JIEXPO, Jakarta, on Thursday (22/10/2026).

Prabowo then asserted his position by saying, "I am the president, Ted!"

After his lighthearted exchange regarding Teddy, Prabowo concluded his speech.

During this meeting, Prabowo also inaugurated the National Financial Welfare Council (DNKK).

The establishment of this council signifies an expansion of policy orientation from financial service access towards family financial welfare.

"With the utterance of bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this afternoon, Thursday, October 22, 2026, with the blessings of the Almighty God, I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, hereby officially inaugurate the formation of the National Financial Welfare Council," stated President Prabowo.