Prabowo: Gontor Must Avoid Practical Politics but Must Understand Politics

President Prabowo Subianto has asserted that the Darussalam Gontor Islamic Boarding School must not involve itself in practical politics in order to preserve the long-standing values of the century-old institution.

“I know that Gontor must not engage in politics. That is correct. Gontor should not participate in practical politics, but it must understand politics,” said Prabowo during his speech at the centenary thanksgiving reception in Ponorogo, East Java, as monitored via the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube broadcast in Jakarta, Saturday (19/09/2024).

Prabowo emphasised that the legendary boarding school has an obligation to maintain neutrality by positioning itself above all partisan interests.

“Gontor must stand above all political factions,” he stated.

Although the institution must remain independent from the arena of power, the President believes that this Islamic educational institution continues to play a vital role in the progress of society. He noted that maintaining a position above all factions would allow Gontor to contribute actively to various sectors of national development.