Prabowo Urges Indonesians to Take Pride in National Culture, References Jokowi's Habit of Wearing Regional Attire

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Prabowo Subianto has urged Indonesian society to take greater pride in their own culture and to avoid feeling inferior to foreign cultures. It began with Prabowo expressing thanks and pride towards the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) for serving as a crucial pillar in preserving the nation’s culture. Prabowo also cited previous presidents as examples in promoting pride in local culture, one of whom was Indonesia’s 7th President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), who enjoyed wearing regional attire on Independence Day. He hopes that this habit will continue to be preserved as a form of pride in national culture. “Perhaps this month or this year we wear those from the regions, we take turns, we take pride in our own culture,” Prabowo stated. Prabowo also highlighted the lingering attitude of inferiority or “minderwaardigheidscomplex” towards one’s own culture among parts of educated society. “In English, ‘inferiority complex’. Subconsciously, most educated people in Indonesia are prouder of things originating from outside Indonesia,” he explained. According to Prabowo, this condition can affect the soul’s strength and the nation’s spirit. He stressed that Indonesia respects all nations but must not forget its own identity. “A great nation, a nation that takes pride, a nation that respects its own culture, a nation that respects its parents and ancestors,” he said.