Prabowo: Advanced Nations Do Not Indulge in Conflict
President Prabowo Subianto has underscored the importance of national unity and cooperation as the primary capital for achieving progress. He stressed that Indonesia must not fall into a culture of conflict, resentment, and mutual sabotage, which can actually damage the nation’s immense potential.
The message was delivered by Prabowo whilst opening the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) National Conference in Lampung on Wednesday. According to him, Indonesia must be built as a single economic unit that strengthens itself, not as groups confronting one another.
“I have always promoted the idea of Indonesia Incorporated. Indonesia Incorporated means Indonesia as one unit, one economic unit,” said Prabowo.
Within this concept, competition remains necessary, but not to destroy one another. Instead, competition must be a means to improve quality, strengthen capabilities, and elevate collective progress.
“We compete not to kill each other, we compete to lift each other up, to strengthen each other,” he stated.
Prabowo then invited HIPMI conference participants to learn from various countries trapped in prolonged conflict. According to him, natural resource wealth is meaningless if a nation fails to maintain unity and stability.
Prabowo cited several countries with abundant oil, gas, and natural resource reserves but unable to convert that wealth into welfare because they are continuously plagued by war and internal conflict.
“Only a foolish nation wants to quarrel, wants conflict. We can see with our own eyes what is happening to other nations that are extremely wealthy, possessing extraordinary riches, possessing gas, oil, and gold, yet they are perpetually at war, civil war,” he said.
He specifically mentioned the condition of Sudan, which he described as a clear example of how conflict can destroy a country’s potential. After the conflict between the northern and southern regions, divisions have continued within each area, resulting in casualties and prolonged suffering for the people.
Prabowo also named Libya, Iraq, and Syria as examples of wealthy nations that have had to face severe consequences due to instability and conflict.
Observing these experiences, the Head of State called on the younger generation, including business circles, to build a healthy national culture. The spirit of nationalism, according to him, must go hand in hand with cooperation and the ability to embrace differences. “So young people, young leaders, build a good culture, be nationalist but cooperate,” he said.
Prabowo emphasised that there are two attitudes that must be avoided if Indonesia wishes to advance and become a strong nation, namely hatred and resentment. According to him, competition is a normal part of life and the business world, but it must not develop into hostility.
“Do not hate, do not hold grudges. Two things we must avoid: do not hate, do not hold grudges. Compete as usual, win or lose, no problem,” he asserted.