Jakarta, Aug. 6 -- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said on Thursday that he wanted to lead his administration based on facts and reality, urging government officials and researchers to confront problems honestly instead of seeking scapegoats.

"If I lead, I want to lead based on facts, reality, and the actual situation," Prabowo told around 150 researchers from Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.

The president stressed that the willingness to confront reality is the first step toward solving the country's problems.

He said acknowledging uncomfortable facts is essential toward solving the country's problems, adding that complaints without concrete action would not produc...