"I am sure all of you here and every where understand about the condition of the country and the nation at present. I have visited various districts and provinces across Indonesia. The people want a change," Prabowo Subianto said.
Pontianak, West Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Sultan Pontianak IX Sri Paduka Maulana Syarif Machmud Alkadrie conferred a "Datok Sri Setia Negara" royal title on Prabowo Subianto, retired military general and presidential candidate, at Kadriah Palace, here, Sunday.

"This award is extraordinary and an honor for me. I will keep this title. I thank the Kadriah Sultanate in Pontianak. I also thank the Sanggau Sultanate who also gives me a royal title at the same time today," Prabowo Subianto said.

Prabowo was in Pontianak to receive the royal titles, meet sultans and kings in West Kalimantan, volunteers, and supporters, as well as to deliver a speech of nationalism.

"I am sure all of you here and every where understand about the condition of the country and the nation at present. I have visited various districts and provinces across Indonesia. The people want a change," he said.

Kalimantan Island including West Kalimantan Province is a very rich region. West Kalimantan has rubber, oil palm bauxite, and other natural resources, he remarked.

The rich natural resources, however, have not given positive impacts on the region's progress. "It means that the Elites have failed in managing our wealth," he said.

The existence of sultanates and kingdoms in Indonesia have helped preserve the nation's culture, traditions, and history, he noted

"Hence, if I win the presidential election, I will help renovate palaces existing in this country. Regarding the Kadriah Sultanate in Pontianak, in particular, I will strive for recognition of the creation of the state's symbol ," he said referring to a claim that the national symbol of "Garuda" was created by Sultan Hamid II of the Kadriah Sultanate.

Indonesia will organize simultaneous legislative and presidential elections on April 17, 2019, where incumbent Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and challenger Prabowo Subianto are again set to go head-to-head.
Seeking a second term, 57-year-old Jokowi has picked Ma'ruf Amin (75), chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), as his partner, while Subianto (67) has chosen Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno (49), a successful entrepreneur and former deputy governor of Jakarta, as his running mate.

Reporting by Dedi, fardah
***2***

Translator: Antara
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2019