President Prabowo Subianto on Thursday inaugurated PT Lotte Chemical Indonesia, a Rp 65 trillion ($4 billion) petrochemical complex in Cilegon, Banten, marking one of Indonesia’s largest South Korean investment projects.

But the president simultaneously used the occasion to deliver a reflective message: recognition of his predecessor’s role.

“This project began with the efforts of President Joko Widodo,” Prabowo said, while adding that he had personally requested Jokowi’s presence at the inauguration ceremony.

“Unfortunately, he could not attend, but he called me to apologize for his absence,” he added.

From the very start of his speech, Prabowo mentioned Jokowi’s name skipping the usual formalities and diving straight into what he called a lesson for the next generation.

“I remind all Indonesians to respect the contributions of every leader. No one is perfect. We must be fair to those who have served before us,” he said.

He then quoted a Javanese proverb, mikul dhuwur mendem jero, which means “to honor others’ virtues and bury their flaws.” Prabowo used the phrase to urge Indonesians to abandon the culture of public denigration and replace it with gratitude and respect.

“What is good, we lift high. What is lacking, we fix quietly. Let’s not continue this culture of insulting one another,” the president said.

Prabowo lamented a growing tendency in public discourse to criticize leaders once they are out of office. “There’s this culture now where leaders are torn down after being praised in power. This must change,” he stressed.

The president also addressed persistent rumors that he remains under Jokowi’s influence, dismissing such claims as baseless.

“People say I’m afraid of pak Jokowi, that’s nonsense. Why should I be afraid? He’s my hopeng,” Prabowo said, using the Hokkien term for “close friend.” “PakJokowi did not leave any personal instructions or requests for me.”

Prabowo’s remarks came just two days after he addressed the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project, a signature infrastructure initiative from Jokowi’s administration that has faced scrutiny over ballooning debt.

During the inauguration of the new Tanah Abang Station in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, Prabowo stated that his government would honor all financial obligations tied to the Whoosh project.

“The state will continue to bear this responsibility,” he said, signaling continuity rather than political distancing.

The comments were seen as a clear attempt to dispel speculation that Prabowo sought to detach himself from Jokowi’s legacy. Instead, he positioned himself as a successor committed to maintaining and improving existing projects.

Denying the “Two Suns” narrative

Since taking office, Prabowo has repeatedly asserted that his administration operates independently from Jokowi’s influence.

In a cabinet plenary session on May 5, 2025, he publicly denied being a “puppet president.”

“People say I’m a puppet, that Pak Jokowi controls me, as if he calls me every night. That’s not true,” he said.

He acknowledged that he still communicates with Jokowi but described it as respectful consultation between leaders. “He led this nation for two terms. It’s natural for me to seek advice from someone with such experience,” Prabowo cited.

The remarks followed public debate in April when several ministers from the Red-and-White Cabinet visited Jokowi’s home in Surakarta, Central Java, during the Idul Fitri holiday. Their visits sparked speculation of a “twin suns” phenomenon within the government, a notion that Jokowi himself later dismissed.

“There is no such thing as two suns. There is only one sun President Prabowo Subianto,” Jokowi told reporters at his residence in April 2025.

Despite their past rivalry in two bitterly contested elections, Prabowo has consistently expressed appreciation toward Jokowi. He has often credited the former president’s political endorsement as a major factor in his 2024 victory.

During the 17th anniversary celebration of the Gerindra Party in February, Prabowo publicly thanked Jokowi before party cadres, leading a spontaneous chant of “Hidup Jokowi!” (“Long live Jokowi!”).

In Cilegon, Prabowo once again signaled a continuation of that tone one that blends respect, unity, and national continuity over political rivalry.

“Let us honor all who have served. That is the Indonesian way,” he said, closing his speech to applause.