Prabowo Expresses Disbelief Over Indonesian Professors Defending Foreign Interests
President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, has urged the Indonesian people to think bravely and not be easily influenced by external parties. He also emphasised the importance of education and knowledge for the nation’s future generations.
Prabowo made these remarks while attending the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor in Ponorogo, East Java, on Saturday (19/9).
Prabowo initially highlighted the motto of the Darussalam Gontor Modern Islamic Boarding School. In his view, the motto aligns with the values upheld by the Indonesian Military Academy (Akmil).
“High character, one must possess high character, honesty, sincerity; one must not become a corruptor, do not pretend to be virtuous, pretend to be sincere, or pretend to be honest, only to steal once entrusted with a position,” Prabowo stated during his speech.
Prabowo then touched upon the importance of building a strong nation so that Indonesia does not again fall under the influence of other nations. He believes this strength must be built through learning and the courage to acknowledge one’s own weaknesses.
“We must be honest with ourselves; we must be brave enough to see our own weaknesses. It is easy for us to speak grandiosely, but difficult for us to recognise our own shortcomings and weaknesses,” said Prabowo.
He further emphasised that the next generation must possess broad knowledge. According to him, Indonesian leaders must have the capability to understand complex issues and not be easily deceived by others.
“Indonesian leaders must be intelligent. Do not be deceived by others. Do not be made fools of,” Prabowo remarked.
Prabowo then expressed his astonishment regarding certain academics holding professorial titles who, in his view, are unable to recognise injustice.
“I am sometimes surprised that there are professors, yet they cannot see injustice. Professors who instead defend the interests of foreign parties,” he continued.
In addition to possessing broad knowledge, Prabowo stated that the Indonesian people must have freedom of thought. However, he noted that such freedom must be accompanied by the courage to think correctly.
“Think freely. Do not allow yourselves to be brainwashed by those who have no good intentions towards us,” said Prabowo.
Prabowo also revisited Indonesia’s history of being colonised by other nations. He believes this experience should serve as a lesson to ensure Indonesia never returns to a position of weakness.
“We were once colonised by other nations; that is a bitter reality. Our fathers, our ancestors, our predecessors, they fought and resisted, but for a long time, we were under the feet of other nations,” he said.
“This is bitter, but we must be brave enough to acknowledge it, and we must learn from it, and we must be determined that we shall never again be colonised by anyone,” Prabowo continued.
He stated that Indonesia must possess strength so that it can assist other nations experiencing oppression.
“We must be strong, because with strength, if we are strong, we can help our brothers and sisters who are oppressed and subjugated by other nations. If we do not have strength, how can we help?” said Prabowo.