Prabowo References Stubborn Iranian Fighters Who Refuse Colonisation
President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto delivered a briefing attended by all his aides in the Merah Putih Cabinet, including heads of agencies and BUMN leaders.
In the briefing, Prabowo touched on the barrage of criticism against the government, likening it to the attitudes of villagers in communal efforts to build a bridge. On that occasion, he also explained the current safe condition of Indonesia amid global turmoil, one of which is due to the war in the Middle East.
He mentioned that Iranian fighters are stubborn in defending their country. It began with him recounting how he is sometimes called a stubborn critic.
“If we are criticised, regard it as a warning so that we remain vigilant. ‘Prabowo is stupid’, I become vigilant, ‘if I am stupid, it means I gather smart people to help me’,” said Prabowo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Wednesday (8/4) afternoon.
“…‘Prabowo is stubborn’, yes, I must accept that as–try touching my head, is it hard or not,” he continued jokingly.
After that, he then touched on Iran, which is currently facing the United States (US) and Israel.
“Sometimes, stubbornness in a task is needed now. People say the Iranian people are stubborn, the fighters are stubborn, repeatedly threatened, but I do not interfere in other countries’ domestic politics,” he added.
He also then touched on the founding fathers of Indonesia who were stubborn in fighting foreign colonisation.
“In the past, our nation’s founders were stubborn, better to die than be colonised again,” he said.
“Merah Putih is non-negotiable, no such thing,” he added.
Therefore, Prabowo emphasised that his side must face criticism with a calm and wise attitude.
“So, brothers and sisters, we respond with calmness, with wisdom, but we hold firmly to our principles, namely the principles of statehood, there is no state without law, no state without the basic constitution, without the constitution,” said Prabowo.
A briefing is a meeting or gathering held to convey information about current issues or situations.
Earlier on Wednesday morning, Prabowo gathered all ministry/institution ranks at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.
Cabinet Secretary (Seskab) Lieutenant Colonel TNI Teddy Indra Wijaya said those present would include the ranks of the Merah Putih Cabinet ministers along with all Echelon 1 in Ministries/Institutions.
In addition, he said all Directors General/Deputies as well as BUMN Presidents/Directors were also present.
“Later at 14.00 at the Palace. The President is gathering all Merah Putih Cabinet members along with all Echelon 1 of Ministries/Institutions, all Directors General/Deputies as well as BUMN Presidents/Directors,” said Teddy via text message.
Separately, when confirmed about today’s meeting, Head of BP Taskin Budiman Sudjatmiko also confirmed it.
“Presentation of macroeconomic conditions by the President, BI Governor [Bank Indonesia], and others,” said Budiman.
This afternoon, the officials were seen sitting neatly listening to Prabowo’s briefing. They appeared uniformly dressed in white attire, sitting and listening to Prabowo’s briefing delivered from the state podium.