Prabowo Warns Gontor Santri: Don’t Trust Foreign Agents, They Pay Buzzers

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Prabowo Subianto warned the santri of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor not to easily believe information circulating on social media.

Prabowo also urged them not to trust those he labeled as "foreign agents." According to him, these parties have money and can pay buzzers to manipulate social media issues.

"Do not believe those whom I call foreign agents, do not trust them. They have money, they can pay buzzers, they can play on social media, be careful!" Prabowo said during his speech at the 100th Anniversary Thanksgiving Reception of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor in Ponorogo, East Java, on Saturday (19/9/2026).

Prabowo accused these "foreign agents" of trying to weaken the Indonesian people by spreading information on social media.

"Do not believe everything you see on social media. They want to lower our spirit, they want to reduce our courage, they want to undermine our confidence, they want us—yes, they want us weak," Prabowo said.

He went on to say that these foreign agents also want Indonesia to remain poor and to be enslaved by other nations.

"They want us to stay poor, they want us to be their slaves forever. We do not want to be slaves to other nations!" Prabowo stated.

This warning came after he called on the santri and santriwati to become a generation that continues the nation's struggle.

"And you, santri and santriwati, my children, you are the ones who will take over, you who will carry on our struggle. We will become a great nation; we will stand on our own feet!" he said.

In his speech, Prabowo also urged the santri to study the various achievements the government has made, which were compiled in a book distributed to the event participants.

"There are many accomplishments, all outlined in the book in front of you—study it and believe that Indonesia’s future is good, Indonesia’s future is bright," Prabowo said.

He concluded his speech by encouraging Pondok Pesantren Gontor to continue its struggle for the nation and the people.

"Thank you, Gontor, congratulations. Continue the historical mission, continue your struggle, and do your best for the nation and the people," Prabowo concluded.