Prabowo Speaks Frankly on Indonesia's Long-standing Issues, Urges Citizens to Do This

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, spotlighted the issue of the nation’s mentality. He connected this to the importance of preserving Indonesia’s original culture, including pencak silat.

Prabowo emphasised that pencak silat is not merely a sport, but part of the national identity that must be safeguarded. The strength of a country is greatly determined by the quality of its people, both physically and mentally.

“The independence of a nation is determined by the spirit of its people,” he said in his speech at the 16th National Congress of the Executive Board of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (PB IPSI).

He explained that this spirit stems from an individual’s ability to protect themselves, their family, and the wider community. This strength is not only physical but also encompasses spiritual and moral aspects.

“Every child of the nation must be strong—strong in body, strong in spirit, strong in faith, strong in morals,” he stated.

Glorifying Foreign Culture

Prabowo then touched on a phenomenon that once occurred in Indonesia, where educated groups tended to glorify things from abroad.

He assessed that this condition impacts the weakening of national self-confidence.

“A sense of inferiority, an inferiority complex, has occurred,” said Prabowo.

This tendency makes some of the public prouder of foreign products than their own creations. In that context, he referred to the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association as one of the important pillars in preserving the nation’s identity.

“IPSI is one of the very important pillars,” he said.

At the end of his speech, Prabowo expressed appreciation to all parties who continue to support his journey in the organisation.

“I thank you, I am proud that for so many years you have continued to support me,” he concluded.