Prabowo: Gontor Must Not Engage in Practical Politics

President Prabowo Subianto has asserted that the Darussalam Gontor Islamic Boarding School must not be involved 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 on Saturday.

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

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

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

“Gontor must not go anywhere [into politics], but it must be everywhere,” said Prabowo.

During the centenary celebrations, Prabowo also expressed his appreciation for the ‘Panca Jiwa Gontor’ (The Five Souls of Gontor) as a foundation for national character building. He specifically mentioned the five core values contained within it: sincerity, simplicity, self-reliance, Islamic brotherhood, and freedom.

According to Prabowo, the fundamental principles instilled by the boarding school are highly relevant for widespread application in national life. He assessed that the motto and exemplary values taught at Gontor should serve as a moral reference wherever one may be.