Turkish Ambassador Stresses Importance of Democracy on Coup Anniversary

The Turkish Ambassador to Indonesia, Talip Kucukcan, stated that the 10th anniversary of the attempted coup in Turkiye serves as a momentum to underscore the importance of safeguarding democracy and strengthening state institutions. “The attempted coup on 15 July 2016 is a lesson on the importance of preserving democracy,” Ambassador Talip said at the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day commemoration in Jakarta on Wednesday. According to him, democracy can only be maintained through strong institutions and legitimate governance processes. Ambassador Talip stressed that political change must be pursued through democratic mechanisms, not through violence or the misuse of religion and ideology for political gain. He added that democracy is a shared responsibility of all elements of society, not just the government or the president. Therefore, the entire community must play a role in maintaining the democratic system so that it functions properly and can withstand various threats to national stability. Meanwhile, via video link, Head of Communications of the Turkish Presidency Burhanettin Duran said the 15 July 2016 commemoration marks an unforgettable turning point in the nation’s history. “The people’s resistance, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that night, proved that the will of the people cannot be subdued by any force,” he said. According to Duran, 15 July 2016 was the day the Turkish people defended the people’s will, freedom, and the country’s sovereignty. Under President Erdogan’s leadership, the courage, wisdom, and uncompromising resistance of the Turkish people showed the world that the people’s will cannot be enslaved by any power, he said. “The steadfastness of the people that night not only thwarted the coup attempt but also became a turning point that secured Turkiye’s future and its democratic journey,” he said.