Vice President Kalla delivered the statement at a State Defense Roll Call themed "Determination to Defend Country through Work and Mental Revolution" at the Lieutenant General H. Soedirman Bojonegoro Stadium in East Java Province on Tuesday.
"Defending the country does not mean only to fight a war, but it is significantly more comprehensive and envisages strengthening the nation in all important areas," the vice president stated.
Strengthening the economic sector is one of the manifestations to defend the country and can be achieved by realizing local food sovereignty in every Indonesian region.
Apart from the economic sector, developing the education sector is also another form of strengthening the countrys defenses.
"No country is defensively strong if (its communities) education (level) is not good and sufficiently high. The economic sector should also be strong as no country can become advanced and gain respect if its people are poor, face food shortages, and so forth," he explained.
Furthermore, the vice president explained that Indonesia can advance if it can optimally utilize its natural and human resources to ensure prosperity of its citizens.
Synergy between the both can be realized if it is complemented by an able leadership.
"Our nation will prosper through good leadership and skilled human resources, and, of course, the optimum utilization of natural resources," he affirmed.
Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) General Gatot Nurmantyo, and Governor of East Java Province Soekarwo also attended the roll call ceremony.
Some 15 thousand participants, comprising the ranks of the TNI, Indonesian National Police, public protection units, students, teachers, civil servants, and members of community organizations in Bojonegoro Regency, East Java Province, attended the roll call.
The State Defense Roll Call ceremony featured a gymnastics performance by 800 students in red and white outfits, reading a pledge to defend the country, as well as a declaration that contained seven points: food sovereignty, energy sovereignty, human rights, mental revolution, disaster resilience, sustainable development goals, and the open government partnership.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
