Megawati Calls for Indonesia's Defence to Be Built in Line with Sukarno's Geopolitical Vision

Chairwoman of the Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Megawati Soekarnoputri has called for the defence posture of the Republic of Indonesia to be built in accordance with the geopolitical vision of Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno. She reminded attendees of the importance of geopolitical thinking in guiding and protecting the nation’s direction and interests. The fifth president of Indonesia stated that Indonesia’s defence strength must be developed with the mission of maintaining world peace. “Where the doctrine, posture, and strategy are formulated based on Bung Karno’s geopolitical perspective,” she said at the seminar ‘Relevance of the Asia-Africa Movement in the Current Geopolitical Crisis’ at the Party School in Lenteng Agung on Saturday (18/4). Megawati explained that geopolitical awareness was the primary reason for President of the Republic of Indonesia number one Soekarno to establish the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas). However, she offered sharp criticism of the development of the institution in its current form. “To build the importance of geopolitical thinking, Bung Karno established Lemhannas. Lemhannas should not have its meaning narrowed to just an institution that issues leadership certificates,” she asserted. She then reminded that Lemhannas should serve as a forum for forging future leaders from various backgrounds, ranging from civilians, military, professionals, experts, cultural figures, to representatives of traditional leadership. She emphasised the importance of this cross-sectoral collaboration for the nation’s progress. “All must unite in thought and ideals for Greater Indonesia. All must be bonded, becoming one progressive force for the advancement of the nation’s civilisation,” she stated. Furthermore, she explained that the process at Lemhannas must be capable of uniting a sense of shared fate as one nation that shapes the ideals of a just and prosperous society. “United with its homeland: namely the earth, air, land, and water as the living space for Indonesian citizens,” she concluded.