Prabowo: Tawang Station is Part of History

President Prabowo Subianto has said that relics from the colonial period should not only be preserved as part of history, but also used as a source of learning to pursue progress in technology and science.

According to Prabowo, Indonesia did indeed experience a long period of colonisation. However, during that period the Indonesian nation also learned technology and science, which later became capital for development.

“Our nation experienced a fairly long colonisation, but we also learned technology and science to catch up with progress,” said Prabowo at the inauguration of the revitalisation of Semarang Tawang Station in Semarang on Thursday (30/7).

Prabowo conveyed this view when explaining the importance of preserving historic buildings, including Semarang Tawang Station. According to him, preservation must not stop at physical maintenance, but must also keep alive the memory of the nation’s journey.

Tawang Station is considered to hold an important place in Indonesian history, as it was once used by the first President of the Republic of Indonesia for travel in the course of carrying out state duties in the early days of independence.

“History records that the first President of the Republic of Indonesia used this station to depart for other regions to carry out state duties at the beginning of independence,” he said.

For this reason, Prabowo views the revitalisation of Tawang Station as part of the effort to safeguard national identity while ensuring that historical traces remain accessible for study by future generations.

He also expressed appreciation to PT Kereta Api Indonesia for revitalising the station. Beyond preserving a historic building, the revitalisation is considered capable of strengthening the appeal of history-based tourism.