Jakarta – President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto has spoken out firmly against corruption, saying that it is entirely appropriate for the state to seize the assets of corrupt individuals—but emphasized that it must be done fairly.

“My position is this: return what you stole! The losses you caused to the state must be paid back. That’s why it’s fair for the state to confiscate their assets,” Prabowo said in an exclusive interview with a group of journalists at his private residence in Hambalang, Bogor, aired Monday evening (April 7).

However, Prabowo underlined the importance of justice when it comes to the families of those convicted of corruption.

“We have to be fair to their children and spouses. For example, if someone acquired assets before taking public office, is it fair to seize those? And what about the children—should they bear the sins of their parents? These are matters that should be evaluated by legal experts,” he added.

Prabowo also expressed deep frustration toward corrupt officials, describing their actions as a form of legalized robbery.

“It’s not just the people who are outraged—I am too. We have vast natural resources, yet this still happens. This is robbery disguised as legality. If you dig into it, sometimes it looks like there’s no violation,” Prabowo said.

He stressed the need for strict measures that create a strong deterrent. For this reason, he said he has instructed law enforcement agencies to file appeals against lenient verdicts that are seen as undermining justice. In several cases, he noted, this approach has proven effective.

“These corruptors think they can just throw money at the problem. ‘Okay, I’ll get arrested, go to court, serve six years in prison. I’ll do three years and get out early. Maybe I’ll bribe this official or that one. Maybe I can even get out every few days.’ That’s their mindset,” Prabowo explained.