Fadli Zon: Every President Has a Different Speech Style

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon believes every President of the Republic of Indonesia has a different speech style according to their respective characters and backgrounds, including President Prabowo Subianto. Fadli conveyed this view at the Ministry of Culture building in Jakarta on Wednesday, in response to President Prabowo’s communication style with the public. “There is Bung Karno who was also fiery, Pak Harto who was calm, Pak Habibie who perhaps leaned more towards technology, Gus Dur who joked a lot, Ibu Mega who was very formal, as well as Pak SBY and Pak Jokowi,” he said. According to Fadli, President Prabowo’s speech style has not changed much over time because he always conveys his thoughts conceptually. He assessed that the use of metaphors and quips in the President’s speeches is a way to build closeness with the public while making it easier to convey messages. He said President Prabowo also delivers speeches more frequently to explain various government policies so that the public understands them as part of the national interest. Fadli stated that any criticism of the government remains necessary as part of the democratic process. However, he hopes that the criticism delivered is argumentative, has a clear basis, and focuses on the substance of the issue.