The particular dialect or language that a person chooses to use on any occasion is called a code 1005 Copyright © 2025 The Author IDEAS is licensed under CC-BY-SA 4.0 License Issued by English study program of IAIN Palopo IDEAS Journal of Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) Volume 13, Number 1, June 2025 pp.1005 - 1023 Speech Acts in Prabowo Subianto's Interview During the 2024 Qatar Economic Forum Afrigh Abrar Brahmantya1, Jurianto2 1,2English Department, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java E-mail: afrigh.abrar.brahmantya-2022@fib.unair.ac.id1, jurianto@fib.unair.ac.id2 Received: 2025-01-17 Accepted: 2025-06-07 DOI: 10.24256/ideas. v13i1.6835 Abstract This study examines the use of speech acts by Prabowo Subianto in his interview at the 2024 Qatar Economic Forum and explains how his language reflects Indonesia’s global economic strategy. The research identifies and categorizes the speech acts used by Prabowo, employing a qualitative approach to analyze the interview transcript obtained from Bloomberg Live Youtube Channel released on 15 May 2024. The study applies Searle’s theory of speech acts and Austin’s framework for a deeper interpretation. The results reveal that Prabowo predominantly uses assertive (66%), expressive (14%), and commissive (16%) speech acts, projecting confidence and commitment to Indonesia’s economic growth. While directive acts (4%) were less frequent, they were strategically used to challenge critics and reinforce his legitimacy. The findings highlight the significant role of language in shaping perceptions of a country’s economic vision and influence on the global stage. By analyzing the strategic deployment of language in international political communication, this study highlights the importance of speech acts in shaping public perception and advancing political objectives. Keywords: Speech Acts; Prabowo Subianto; Interview; 2024 Qatar Economic Forum Introduction Pragmatics is a crucial aspect of language use, particularly in real-life situations, where the context plays a key role in interpreting meaning (Jafari, 2013; Yule, 2022). The concept of speech acts, divided into locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary acts, is a key element of pragmatic analysis. These speech acts are important for understanding the speaker's intentions and how they influence the audience's perceptions (Ruzibaeva, 2023; Suparto, 2020). Locutionary acts refer to the physical act of producing a speech sound (utterance), in this case, Prabowo http://u.lipi.go.id/1457703302 mailto:afrigh.abrar.brahmantya-2022@fib.unair.ac.id mailto:jurianto@fib.unair.ac.id2 Afrigh Abrar Brahmantya, Jurianto Speech Acts in Prabowo Subianto's Interview During the 2024 Qatar Economic Forum 1006 Subianto’s answers that came from the moderator’s questions; illocutionary acts focus on the speaker's intent behind the utterance, such as requesting or asserting (Austin, 1962; Searle, 1979). Illocutionary acts are categorized into five types: Assertive, Declarative, Commissive, Expressive, and Directive; and perlocutionary acts concern the listener’s response or reaction to the utterance (Searle, 1979). Economic discourse, especially in political leadership, plays a pivotal role in shaping public perceptions of national strategies. Speech act theory, which focuses on how language performs actions, provides a useful framework for analyzing political communication. Previous studies highlight the strategic use of speech acts by political leaders to persuade, inform, and justify actions. Albanese et al. (2018) found that leaders like Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton use directives, expressive, commissive, and declaratives to engage their audiences, with Trump favoring direct speech acts, while Clinton’s approach is more indirect and expressive. This distinction reveals how leaders tailor their language to influence public perception. Similarly, Eskelinen and Sorsa (2013) applied speech act theory to economic discourse, showing that speech acts often generalize individual facts or combine them to support policies and institutional changes. This framework is necessary for analyzing how Prabowo Subianto uses speech acts in his 2024 Qatar Economic Forum interview to communicate Indonesia's economic strategies, including food security, energy self-sufficiency, industrialization, as well as other related elements. In political communication, persuasive style serves as a powerful tool for leaders to gain public trust, often reflecting social and cultural norms as well as the leader’s political and moral values (Kampf, 2021). Research into speech acts in political discourse has provided valuable insights into how language shapes public perception and influences political communication. For instance, Rais and Triyono (2019) analyzed the "Epic Rap Battles of Presidency", featuring Prabowo and Jokowi, and found that assertive acts dominated the discourse, making up 49% of the speech acts identified. This finding underscore how assertive speech acts play a crucial role in conveying a leader’s position and perspective in a political context. Similarly, Effendy and Simatupang (2024) analyzed Prabowo's speech acts during the 2023 presidential debates, categorizing them into assertives, directives, commissives, and expressives. Their study revealed that Prabowo often used assertive acts to inform and persuade his audience, demonstrating the power of these speech acts in shaping political narratives and influencing voter behavior. These studies contribute to our understanding of how political figures use language to communicate and persuade, especially in high-pressure settings like debates and public discourse. IDEAS, Vol. 13, No. 1, June 2025 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 1007 In various contexts, Prabowo Subianto’s speech acts have been studied, revealing how his language reflects his leadership style and Indonesia's broader economic strategies. For example, Damanhuri et al. (2018) analyzed Prabowo’s speech act strategies during a rap battle, highlighting how assertive acts helped convey his positions effectively. Additionally, studies by Fachruddin (2021) and Muhassin (2021) focused on his speeches at the Indonesian Economic Forum, examining his use of language to express his vision for Indonesia’s economy. Abbas et al. (2021) conducted a comparative study of expressive speech acts in the 2019 presidential debates between Jokowi-JK and Prabowo-Sandiaga Uno. They found that while both candidates used expressive speech acts such as thanking and apologizing, Prabowo’s approach was more direct, using speech acts like blaming and criticizing, thus reflecting his unique rhetorical style. Additionally, Radhi, Ibrahim, and Al-Obaydi (2022) explored how global political figures like Barack Obama and Donald Trump used both gestures and speech acts to enhance their communication in interviews. Their research confirmed that assertive speech acts were the most common, providing the idea that political leaders rely on clear and confident speech to strengthen their public image. More recent studies, such as those by Susilowati and Kusumaningtyas (2024), focused specifically on Prabowo's communication strategies at the 2024 Qatar Economic Forum. They found that Prabowo strategically used fillers to manage the flow of his speech, a sign of thoughtful communication in a high-stakes setting. Similarly, Harefa et al. (2024) focused on the grammatical precision in Prabowo’s delivery, concluding that his use of subject-verb agreement contributed to the professionalism of his speech. While these studies provide helpful insights into the structural aspects of Prabowo’s communication, they tend to focus more on linguistic features and less on the deeper pragmatic functions of his speech, especially when it comes to communicating complex economic policies. This gap becomes critical in the context of high-stakes international forums where political leaders must not only convey domestic policies but also project their countries' roles on the global stage. While there is a wealth of research on the content and impact of political speeches, few studies explore how Indonesian leaders, particularly Prabowo, communicate their economic strategies on global platforms. Economic discourse plays a pivotal role in shaping national policies, influencing public welfare, and determining a country’s stability (Blau & Abramovitz, 2010; Ringen, 2017). Political leaders like Prabowo employ speech acts to persuade, inform, and shape perceptions of economic issues, yet there is limited research on how these acts function in international settings. While previous studies have primarily focused on illocutionary acts, they often neglect the full spectrum of speech acts, including locutionary and perlocutionary acts, in the context of communication delivered by political leaders, especially in terms of economic discourse. Moreover, existing research does not sufficiently analyze how these speech acts articulate economic strategies or project Afrigh Abrar Brahmantya, Jurianto Speech Acts in Prabowo Subianto's Interview During the 2024 Qatar Economic Forum 1008 a leader’s vision for their country’s future in global forums, emphasizing the gap of related studies to Prabowo Subianto’s speech acts. Given his prominent role as a political leader and economic strategist, a more comprehensive analysis of how his language shapes public perception both domestically and internationally is essential. This study aims to analyze the speech acts used by Prabowo Subianto during his 2024 Qatar Economic Forum interview, with a focus on how these speech acts reflect Indonesia’s economic strategies, including his vision to enhance food security, achieve energy self-sufficiency, reduce corruption, promote industrialization, and advance e-governance. Additionally, this study also explores how Prabowo discusses the development of the IKN (Ibu Kota Negara = Nusantara Capital City) infrastructure and how his leadership style, shaped by his military experiences, influences his communication. The primary research question guiding this study is: How does Prabowo Subianto utilize speech acts in his interview at the 2024 Qatar Economic Forum to convey Indonesia’s economic strategies, the development of IKN, and his leadership approach? This research is expected to offer perspectives into how Prabowo’s speech acts shape the perception of Indonesia's economic ambitions and global role. Method This study employs a qualitative approach to analyze how Prabowo Subianto used speech acts to communicate Indonesia's economic strategies and global ambitions during his interview at the 2024 Qatar Economic Forum. The interview, which was uploaded on May 15, 2024, at the Bloomberg Live Youtube Channel, featured Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia’s Minister of Defense and President-Elect, and was moderated by Haslinda Amin, Chief International Correspondent for Southeast Asia and Anchor at Bloomberg Television. The forum provided a unique opportunity to examine Prabowo's speech act strategies in a high-stakes international setting, where he articulated Indonesia’s economic policies to a global audience. The focus of the study is solely on Prabowo’s speech acts, with the interview transcript serving as the primary data source. The data for this study were gathered from a transcription of the interview obtained from Bloomberg Live’s YouTube channel, which was analyzed for Prabowo’s use of locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary acts. To facilitate a detailed interpretation of the transcript, a qualitative approach (Dawson, 2007; Hennink, Hutter, & Bailey, 2020) was employed. This approach provides insight into how Prabowo adapted his discourse for an international audience while aligning it with global expectations. The speech act theory of J.L. Austin (1962) and John Searle (1979) was used as a theoretical framework to identify and categorize the speech acts, with pragmatic analysis (Duffy, 2008; Grundy, 2019; Ruzibaeva, 2023) IDEAS, Vol. 13, No. 1, June 2025 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 1009 helping to decode the strategic use of language. The study applied content analysis (Gheyle & Jacobs, 2017) to systematically code the speech acts in Prabowo’s interview. In this process, predefined categories were used to identify the types of speech acts, while emerging themes were examined to analyze the underlying meanings behind his words. The coding process was conducted in a collaborative manner: one author initially analyzed the data by identifying and categorizing speech acts, and the second author re- examined the analysis results for consistency and accuracy. The analysis focused on classifying illocutionary acts into the five categories outlined by Searle (assertives, declaratives, commissives, expressives, and directives), followed by an investigation of the perlocutionary acts, based on the reactions of a selected group of seven individuals who watched the video and provided feedback on their comprehension of Prabowo’s speech. Their responses were used to validate the perlocutionary acts identified in the interview. To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the transcript, the audio of the interview was reviewed and compared by using inter-rater reliability. This coding scheme refers to the degree of agreement between two or more raters when evaluating the same phenomenon, ensuring consistency and validity in research with subjective judgments (Lange, 2011). This process was followed by proofreading the transcript by the first author, which was then re-reviewed by the second author. Additionally, the audience feedback, based on their understanding of Prabowo’s speech in the context of Indonesia’s economic vision, IKN development, and his leadership strategies, was integrated into the analysis to further validate the transcript’s alignment with the speech acts. In terms of inclusion and exclusion criteria for speech act identification, the data set is strictly limited to Prabowo’s own utterances during the interview. The analysis does not consider speech acts by the moderator, Haslinda Amin, as the study's focus is on Prabowo’s communication strategies. This ensures that the research remains focused on his articulation of Indonesia's economic strategies and global ambitions. In addition, the findings are specific to this instance and cannot be generalized to other contexts or speakers. Furthermore, the study is limited to the analysis of speech acts within the framework of locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary acts. It does not explore other aspects of pragmatic analysis, such as implicature, politeness strategies, presuppositions, or references. The research does not imply to a broader linguistic analysis or compare Prabowo’s speech acts with those of other political leaders, which limits the scope to this particular interview and its economic discourse. By narrowing the focus to this specific context, the study aims to provide a detailed and focused analysis of speech act theory in political discourse and facilitate how Prabowo communicates his vision for Indonesia’s economic future and global positioning. Afrigh Abrar Brahmantya, Jurianto Speech Acts in Prabowo Subianto's Interview During the 2024 Qatar Economic Forum 1010 Results The findings of this study are based on the speech acts identified in the video "In Conversation With President-Elect Prabowo Subianto," aired by Bloomberg Live. The analysis employed both Searle’s (1979) framework for illocutionary acts, which includes assertives, directives, commissives, expressives, and declaratives, and Austin's (1962) theory, which examines speech on three levels: locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary acts. By combining these two theories, the study provides a more comprehensive understanding of how speech acts function. The focus is on sorting and evaluating these acts based on their frequency and the context in which they appear throughout the interview. Speech Acts Frequencies Before delving into the three levels of analysis by Austin (1962), the authors first identified the illocutionary acts in the video. Below are the results that show the percentage and frequency of each act. Table 1. Types of Searle’s Speech Acts in Prabowo’s Interview at the 2024 Qatar Economic Forum No. Illocutionary Act Frequently Percentage 1 2 3 4 5 Assertives Directives Commissives Expressives Declaratives 66 4 16 14 0 66% 4% 16% 14% 0% Total 100 100% The analysis of the video revealed a total of 100 illocutionary acts, with all types of speech acts identified except for declaratives. The most common speech act was assertive, accounting for 66% of the total, while directives were the least common, comprising only 4%. Commissive and expressive speech acts were found with frequencies of 16% and 14%, respectively. Prabowo's tendency to use assertive speech acts throughout the interview can be attributed to the context of his statements. At various points, particularly when discussing his economic policies, the development of Indonesia's new capital (IKN), and his personal political background, he employed assertives to establish his authority and commitment to these initiatives. Assertive acts like stating "Indonesia must be self-sufficient in food" or "We will not be an advanced industrial society if we are just a producer of raw materials" reflect his focus on asserting his policies and vision for the country. These speech acts are excpectedly significant in reinforcing his leadership and presenting Indonesia's future economic direction clearly to the global audience. IDEAS, Vol. 13, No. 1, June 2025 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 1011 Interestingly, declarative speech acts, which often indicate a significant change or societal shift, were largely absent. This could be because Prabowo's focus in this interview was more on presenting his strategies and affirming his political goals rather than announcing concrete changes or making statements that would immediately affect Indonesian society. He was not signaling a shift in the socio- political landscape, but rather emphasizing the continuity and strengthening of his plans for economic growth. An example of Prabowo Subianto’s speech acts in the context of Indonesia’s economic strategy and the development of the IKN (Nusantara) infrastructure can be observed in his statements regarding the country’s future direction. For instance, Prabowo stated, “And uh... in the end, we have to concentrate on processing our natural resources.” “We have to umm... make a great effort in downstreaming and to industrialize.” “And all of this needs good governance.” These statements might initially appear to be directive speech acts, as they suggest actions to be taken by society. However, upon deeper analysis, they function more as informative assertions about his program, outlining the steps necessary for Indonesia’s economic development, rather than commanding the audience to act. If these statements were classified as declarative acts, they would imply that the speaker is creating a new state of affairs or making a formal declaration about reality. However, these utterances do not assert new facts or formalize a specific situation; they merely describe the actions he believes are necessary for Indonesia's growth. Furthermore, Prabowo extends this discourse with a more explicit commissive act when he says, “And so uh...we have to build a giant sea wall. That’s one of my programs also.” In this instance, he is claiming ownership of the program and committing to its execution during his tenure, thus reinforcing his personal commitment to the nation's development agenda, particularly in the context of IKN infrastructure. This commitment makes the act commissive, not declarative, as it indicates a promise to take action rather than declaring a fact or establishing a new reality. This pattern aligns with his leadership style, where he strategically uses assertive acts to articulate his commitment to his country's future, while steering clear of more dramatic declarations. This approach tends to not only reinforces his position but also showcases his method of political communication that focused on stability and vision rather than momentous change. The use of assertives throughout the interview highlights the coherence of his message from the beginning to the end, where he consistently reinforces his economic and political goals. To enhance the understanding of these findings, the following pie chart visually represents the frequency distribution of each speech act type identified in the interview, illustrating the proportions of assertive, directives, commissive, declaratives, and expressive. Afrigh Abrar Brahmantya, Jurianto Speech Acts in Prabowo Subianto's Interview During the 2024 Qatar Economic Forum 1012 Figure 1. Pie Chart of Speech Acts Found in Prabowo’s Interview 1. Assertive Assertive speech acts are statements in which the speaker expresses beliefs, knowledge, or facts about the world, aiming to describe how things are. These acts can include statements, claims, or descriptions, and they are typically used to convey information or make observations that the speaker believes to be true. Assertive acts commit the speaker to the truth of the proposition (Searle, 1979) and provide a way for the speaker to present facts, share opinions, or assert their perspective on a situation. Prabowo’s assertive acts, such as "Indonesia must be self-sufficient in food" or "We have to concentrate on processing our natural resources", are often used to project authority and communicate Indonesia’s economic goals with clarity. These phrases reflect his strong belief in Indonesia’s potential and his drive to ensure economic sustainability. The choice of words is direct, confident, and formal, reinforcing his role as a leader who is not just making claims but laying down facts that he believes will guide Indonesia’s future. In the assertive speech acts identified in Prabowo Subianto’s interview, the analysis reveals several distinct types, which can be elaborated by examining each of the three levels of speech acts: locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary. 14% 16% 4%66% 0% SPEECH ACTS FOUND IN 2024 QATAR ECONOMIC FORUM BY PRABOWO SUBIANTO Expressive Commissive Directive Assertive Declarative IDEAS, Vol. 13, No. 1, June 2025 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 1013 Table 2. Assertive Speech Acts Found in Prabowo’s Interview Category Locutionary (Example) Perlocutionary (Effect on Listener) Function Statement of fact And my core focus will be first on... Food security. Indonesia must be self-sufficient in food Listeners accept food security as a critical goal for Indonesia’s future, indicating adequate preparation. Describe Indonesia’s global economic position and influence. Statement of Fact The idea of moving the capital has been around since the first years of our independence. Convince the public that IKN is not a sudden or personal decision, but a historical idea backed by logic and necessity. Present a historical context to support the necessity of capital relocation. Explanations And uh… in the end, we have to concentrate on processing our natural resources. Listeners understand the reason behind the focus on resource processing. Explain the economic strategy of focusing on domestic resource processing. Explanations What will be umm... a growth driver in the first years will be our uh... concentration on uh... agriculture, food, food production, food distribution... His speech is delayed and filled with filler words, signifying his effort to find the best words, showing his concern for agriculture and people's needs. Convey the significance of agriculture and food production as a key economic driver. Claims We will... we will not BE uh... an advanced industrial society if we are just a producer of raw materials. Listeners agree that industrialization is critical for national progress, and Indonesia is able to grow by itself without foreign influence. Assert the need for industrialization to drive economic growth. Claims I was the general. Reflects Prabowo's leadership style, showing discipline and a results-oriented, decisive leadership approach. Assert leadership experience and confidence in his military background. Descriptions Uh... you know, $35 billion. But uh... the Listeners understand Indonesia's financial Describe Indonesia's ability Afrigh Abrar Brahmantya, Jurianto Speech Acts in Prabowo Subianto's Interview During the 2024 Qatar Economic Forum 1014 calculation is we will need 25 years to 30 years to complete this capital. So if you say $30 billion over 30 years, that's $1 billion a year. Indonesia's economy. Indonesia's budget can carry that. capacity to handle large projects. to support ambitious infrastructure projects. 2. Expressive Expressive speech acts are statements in which the speaker communicates emotional states or attitudes toward a particular situation. These acts don’t aim to inform or persuade in the same way as assertive or directives. Instead, they reveal how the speaker feels about something, like happiness, anger, regret, or sympathy. Expressive acts are a means by which speakers reveal their psychological state in response to a particular situation or event (Searle, 1979). Prabowo’s expressive speech acts often show his concern for Indonesia’s people, like “I cannot accept that in this day and age” or “My people must not be hungry.” These statements make it clear that he is deeply invested in the welfare of the population. What’s interesting here is that, even though he’s expressing emotions, Prabowo still uses formal language like "my people must have a good life", which reflects a level of professionalism that aligns with his political standing. This balance between emotional depth and formal tone helps him connect with the audience without losing the authoritative tone that a political leader need. In Prabowo Subianto’s interview, several expressive speech acts can be identified. We examine each of these in terms of their locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary aspects: Table 3. Expressive Speech Acts Found in Prabowo’s Interview Category Locutionary (Example) Perlocutionary (Effect on Listener) Function Confidence And with that, we are very confident. I’m very confident we can easily achieve 8%. Listeners feel reassured and inspired by Prabowo’s confidence in achieving ambitious economic targets. Express confidence in Indonesia’s economic potential. Confidence We have uh... (what do we call it) we studied all the figures and we are very His optimistic tone conveys confidence in Indonesia’s economic future and his To express confidence in his ability to achieve economic goals. IDEAS, Vol. 13, No. 1, June 2025 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 1015 confident we can do that leadership. Sympathy I uh... grew up in many countries, and I saw... my people, many of them are very poor. In my heart... I cannot accept that in this day and age. The statement evokes sympathy from the audience, making them reflect on the socio- economic challenges. Express regret and highlight the need for change in economic challenges faced by the people. Sympathy The well-being of my people. My people must be safe. My people must not be hungry. My people must have a good life." Listeners understand how Prabowo cares deeply about the well- being of his people and prioritizes their basic needs. To express empathy and concern for the people’s well-being. Complaints It's not fair to our people Listeners are made aware of how he feels for ‘his people’ if Indonesia had relentlessly kept importing industrial goods. Express dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs. Gratitude Thank you for inviting me. The listener (Haslinda Amin or the audience) feels appreciated for the invitation. Express appreciation for the opportunity to be part of the conversation. 3. Commissive Commissive speech acts, as described by Searle (1979), are utterances in which the speaker expresses their intentions, promises, or commitments to future actions. These acts involve a commitment to do something, such as making a promise, offering to do something, or asserting plans. For example, a promise is a typical commissive in which the speaker assures the listener they will perform a specific action. Commissive acts can motivate the speaker to align their actions with the stated commitment, influencing both the speaker's and the audience's expectations. Prabowo’s commitment to Indonesia’s future is evident in statements like “I will work very hard so that I don’t disappoint my people” or “I am determined to go beyond 8%.” These aren’t just statements; they’re promises that position Prabowo as someone who is ready to take responsibility for the country’s growth. The words Afrigh Abrar Brahmantya, Jurianto Speech Acts in Prabowo Subianto's Interview During the 2024 Qatar Economic Forum 1016 "I will" and "I am determined" emphasize his unwavering resolve. His choice of words is powerful and motivating, clearly showing that his leadership is centered around fulfilling the promises he makes to the nation. Below are the specific commissive speech acts found in Prabowo’s interview, analyzed from the aspects of the locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary for each: Table 4. Commissive Speech Acts Found in Prabowo’s Interview Category Locutionary (Example) Perlocutionary (Effect on Listener) Function Promise I am determined to go beyond 8%. Listener may feel confident or reassured that the speaker is committed to achieving a specific goal. To express a commitment to a future action or goal. Promise I will be myself; I will be genuine. Conveys Prabowo's commitment to being authentic and leading with honesty, without engaging in political pretense. To promise authenticity and sincerity in leadership. Offer And we are going to introduce, and we are in the midst of introducing e- governance. Listener might feel informed and optimistic about the progress of e- governance initiatives. To inform or reassure the listener about ongoing actions. Commitme nt We are very determined to bring this all about. Uh... we will go digitalization, uh... computerization, and this will increase our tax ratio, uh... our revenue services, we will uh... revamp. Listener could feel encouraged or reassured that the speaker is committed to making the initiative happen. To emphasize dedication and determination to follow through. Commitme nt So I will work very hard so that I don't disappoint my people. Listeners understand that Prabowo is realistic and committed to serving the people, emphasizing responsibility and hard To commit to hard work and responsibility toward the people. IDEAS, Vol. 13, No. 1, June 2025 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 1017 work. Commitme nt And that is what drives me. I want to do my bit. I want to make my contribution with my uh... insights, with my experience, with my leadership. I believe I can contribute a lot to bettering the life of my people. Shows a strong motivation to serve the people, particularly because many Indonesians are still facing difficulties. To express a deep commitment to improving the lives of the people through leadership. 4. Directive A directive act is one in which the speaker aims to get the listener to act or do something, such as making a request, giving advice, or issuing a command (Searle, 1979). Directive acts typically involve the speaker's desire for the listener to engage in a specific behavior or act, which is often reflected in the phrasing of the statement or question. For example, asking someone to provide information or perform a task is a common directive speech act (Searle, 1979). While directive acts were less frequent in Prabowo’s speech, when they did occur, they served a very strategic purpose. Phrases like “Who is concerned?” or “Why didn’t you ask the Indonesian people?!” show his tendency to challenge the audience, inviting them to think about who is truly accountable for certain issues. It’s not so much about giving orders, but rather prompting reflection. His tone is subtle yet impactful, as he directs the conversation in a way that refocuses attention and makes the audience reconsider the issues at hand. Below are the specific directive speech acts identified in Prabowo’s interview, with an analysis of the locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary elements for each act. Afrigh Abrar Brahmantya, Jurianto Speech Acts in Prabowo Subianto's Interview During the 2024 Qatar Economic Forum 1018 Table 5. Directive Speech Acts Found in Prabowo’s Interview Category Locutionary (Example) Perlocutionary (Effect on Listener) Function Asking for Information So, can you imagine the savings we will have when we will switch to biofuel? The listener may feel curious or engaged, thinking about the benefits of biofuels. To encourage the listener to imagine or consider a hypothetical situation. Requesting Clarification Who is concerned? The listener may feel uncertain or prompted to identify who is involved. To obtain clarification about who is concerned or responsible. Reiterating Request for Clarification Who is concerned?! The listener may feel a sense of urgency or pressure to respond. To emphasize the need for an answer and create a sense of urgency. Implied Request for Action Why didn’t you ask the Indonesian people?! The listener may feel criticized, prompting them to reflect on their actions. To indirectly challenge the listener and suggest they should have consulted others. Discussion Interpretation of Results Prabowo Subianto’s speech acts in his interview at the 2024 Qatar Economic Forum reveal a clear communication strategy aimed at showcasing Indonesia’s economic ambitions on the global stage. The dominant use of assertive speech acts highlights Prabowo’s leadership style, emphasizing confidence and a strong vision for Indonesia’s future. His assertive remarks, such as "Indonesia must be self- sufficient in food," are intended to establish authority and project Indonesia as a country with clear and feasible goals. This aligns with earlier research, such as Rais and Triyono (2019), which found that assertive speech acts dominate political discourse, particularly in framing a leader’s confidence and stance. Prabowo’s use of commissive speech acts such as "I am determined to go beyond 8%" further emphasizes his commitment to Indonesia’s progress. These acts suggest that his leadership is not just about stating positions but also about making promises to deliver on them. This is similar to the finding of Effendy and Simatupang (2024), who observed that leaders often use commissive speech acts to associate themselves with the aspirations of their people and to position themselves as active agents of change. His expressive speech acts, such as discussing the poverty faced by Indonesians, also provide insight into his emotional commitment to his people. These acts, like "I cannot accept that in this day and age," indicate his empathy and humanize his leadership. His emotional appeals help make him appear more IDEAS, Vol. 13, No. 1, June 2025 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 1019 relatable, not just as a political figure, but as someone personally invested in the welfare of his country. This approach aligns with Indonesian cultural norms, where leaders are expected to maintain a strong connection with the people, and Prabowo’s efforts to embody these values make him seem closer to his constituents, reinforcing his cultural and political legitimacy. While directive speech acts were less frequent, they were still strategically important. Through rhetorical questions like "Who is concerned?", Prabowo slightly challenges his critics, shifting the focus from questioning his leadership to reaffirming his democratic legitimacy. These acts help refocus the conversation, allowing him to deflect criticisms and reinforce the narrative that his authority comes from the people’s trust. Broader Implications When interpreting Prabowo’s speech acts, it is essential to consider the cultural and contextual factors that influence language use. While cultural norms do influence communication, political communication patterns tend to follow similar structures regardless of location. For instance, in Indonesian political discourse, there is a strong emphasis on formality and respect for authority, but these elements are not unique to Indonesian communication. In fact, political leaders around the world, especially in international settings, adapt their speech to align with global expectations for clarity, directness, and authority (Dewan & Myatt, 2008). In the case of Prabowo’s speech at the 2024 Qatar Economic Forum, his approach demonstrates this adaptability, where he maintains his authoritative tone while tailoring his language to fit the international context of the forum. Moreover, the setting and participants in this international forum also influence how Prabowo’s speech acts are interpreted. In a prestigious event like the Qatar Economic Forum, Prabowo is not only speaking to domestic stakeholders but to an international audience that may have different cultural expectations of political discourse. The purpose of the interview, to project Indonesia’s economic strategy globally, also impacts his speech act choices. These factors suggest that the interpretation of his speech acts must account for both the cultural norms of Indonesian political communication and the international context of the forum. While this study relies on Western speech act theory (Austin, 1962; Searle, 1979) to analyze Prabowo’s speech, it is important to acknowledge the limitations of applying these theories to Indonesian political communication. Indonesian political discourse often involves nuances of politeness, indirectness, and respect for hierarchical relationships that may not always align with the assumptions of Western pragmatics. For instance, speech acts in Indonesian culture may be more indirect, with an expectation of saving face and maintaining social harmony, which can influence how speech acts like directives or expressive are interpreted. In an international forum like the 2024 Qatar Economic Forum, Prabowo may Afrigh Abrar Brahmantya, Jurianto Speech Acts in Prabowo Subianto's Interview During the 2024 Qatar Economic Forum 1020 need to adapt his speech act strategies to be more direct and clear for a global audience. However, this adaptation could be at odds with the more indirect and formal style of communication common in Indonesian politics. Thus, while Western speech act theory provides a useful framework, it may not fully capture the complexity of speech acts in Indonesian political contexts. Comparison with Previous Studies The findings in this study corroborate earlier research that also highlights the prevalence of assertive speech acts in political discourse. Rais and Triyono (2019) and Effendy and Simatupang (2024) both noted that assertives dominate in political speeches, particularly when leaders seek to assert their position and influence. This study builds on those findings by demonstrating how Prabowo employs these speech acts not only to express authority but also to articulate Indonesia’s economic strategy in an international setting. Table 6. Comparison Between Previous Studies to Current Study Authors Focus Findings Comparison to Current Study Rais and Triyono (2019) Analysis of Prabowo and Jokowi's speech acts in a debate Assertive acts dominate, particularly in framing a leader’s confidence and position. Consistent with Prabowo’s use of assertive to project confidence and establish authority. Effendy and Simatupang (2024) Analysis of Prabowo’s speech in presidential debates Leaders use commissive speech acts to position themselves as agents of change. Similar to Prabowo’s use of commissive acts to express his commitment to Indonesia’s future. Current Study Prabowo’s speech acts in the 2024 Qatar Economic Forum Assertive and commissive acts used to communicate Indonesia’s economic vision and global strategy. Builds on the findings by exploring how these speech acts work in the global setting of an international forum. Conclusion This study analyzed the speech acts used by Prabowo Subianto during his interview at the 2024 Qatar Economic Forum to explore how his language communicates Indonesia's economic vision and strategy. The findings demonstrate that Prabowo primarily applies assertive and commissive speech acts to project authority, commitment, and clarity about Indonesia’s future economic direction. While the study provided valuable insights into the use of locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary acts, it is important to note that it was based on a single video, IDEAS, Vol. 13, No. 1, June 2025 ISSN 2338-4778 (Print) ISSN 2548-4192 (Online) 1021 which limits the scope of the analysis. Future research should expand the analysis to include multiple interviews or speeches from Prabowo or other political figures, providing a broader perspective on their speech act strategies. Additionally, comparing speech acts in domestic versus international contexts and examining the emotional and rhetorical strategies used by political leaders could further enhance our understanding of how language shapes political communication and public perception. (tambahin rekomendasi future research, selama ini tidak melibatkan audiens untuk receptions, dengan tokoh2 politik lain) Declaration of competing interest We gratefully acknowledge the support of artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, Quillbot, and Grammarly, which were used solely to proofread grammatical errors in an entirely written manuscript. The authors handled all aspects of content creation, research, and intellectual input independently. Acknowledgement The authors, Afrigh Abrar Brahmantya and Jurianto, wish to express their sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to the completion of this research article. 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