Prabowo References Nazi Goebbels' Study in Discussion on Propaganda

1 week ago 8

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto mentioned the Nazi Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels during his speech at an economic seminar with economists, investors, and businessmen at the Mandiri Tower, Jakarta, on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

Initially, Prabowo claimed that his government is not against criticism. He even said that the Red and White Cabinet welcomes criticism because it keeps the government alert. However, he mentioned that the government needs to provide clarification.

Then, Prabowo referred to Goebbels' propaganda. He gave an example: if someone repeatedly and persistently claims that the sun rises from the west, others will eventually believe it too.

"This is propaganda, it is in all the books. It is the art of Hitler and Joseph Goebbels. If lies are repeated over and over again, people will eventually believe the lies. It is in the book The Art of Propaganda," said Prabowo in his speech.

Prabowo admitted that he has studied Goebbels' propaganda techniques. He called it psychological warfare by one country to destabilize another. He then mentioned the second principle of Joseph Goebbels' theory, "the bigger the lie, the easier it is for people to believe."

"Oh, maybe it's true, right? So now, fake news, hoaxes, they are easy. But we must not be angry," he said.

Prabowo said that falsehoods can only be countered by being open and trying to explain. He emphasized that a regime or group that launches an attack based on falsehood will be shattered.

In this event, Prabowo admitted that his government has poor public communication. Therefore, he deliberately organized a seminar with economists and investors to communicate the current situation.

"I realized a few weeks ago that the communication from the government I lead is somewhat lacking. And that is my responsibility," said Prabowo in his speech.

Prabowo argued that he has a performance-based work principle. Thus, he is unwilling to speak to the public without tangible evidence. He stated that he only wants to be judged based on his achievements.

The Chairperson of the Gerindra Party said that he had begun to form a small team to work immediately after the General Election Commission declared the winner of the presidential election.

Prabowo claimed that his team has been working for five months without media coverage. He even said that sometimes it is difficult to work when covered by the media because it wants instant proof. "The only one who can do it instantly is Prophet Moses, who had a staff. We humans cannot do it instantly. It's all about planning," said Prabowo.

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