"The two challenges are related to the quality of human resources and people-based economy," he said while addressing a function at the Muhammadiyah College in Cianjur, West Java, on Sunday.
The era of globalization and free market required intelligence and economic justice, he noted.
If Indonesia was not able to solve the two problems, other nations would control or take over Indonesia, he said.
"The Indonesian nation that is mostly made up of Muslims must be united and serious and work hard to deal with the worst possibility in the future," he said.
During 18 years of reforms, the nationhood system in the country had changed, he said.
On the other hand, the world community applied a free market system which led to free competition among countries, groups and individuals, he said.
"The free competition happens to anybody, regardless of their background. Right now whoever is serious and works hard will win the competition," he said.
Zulkifli who is also chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) said Indonesia is a big country in ASEAN in terms of geography and population and is rich in natural resources.
However, most of the Indonesian people graduated from junior high school, while economic disparities among the Indonesian people continued to widen, he said.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
