Jambi (ANTARA) - Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, while attending the national meeting of the Association of Rural Governments of Indonesia (APDESI) taking place in Jambi Province on Wednesday, appealed to village heads to strengthen cooperation.

In his speech, the minister stressed that all village heads, as the leader figures closest to the people, should continue to strengthen cooperation with all elements of society.

"We should work in synergy with all elements of society to strive to maintain the nation's harmonious and peaceful life, with the objective of realizing a more just and prosperous Indonesia," he remarked.

Minister Subianto then underscored the importance of working hand in hand and fostering a sense of togetherness and unity in order to achieve the objective.

According to the minister, all parties should work together to advance Indonesia by optimizing the country's abundant resources, so the entire nation can enjoy the benefits of the resources.

On the occasion, he also noted that the government is currently striving to succeed in implementing its downstreaming strategy to optimize the use of the country's abundant natural resources to create more job opportunities and elevate the people's living standards.

Meanwhile, Jambi Governor Al Haris, for his part, expressed hope that the APDESI national meeting would convene creative and innovative ideas that can stimulate economic growth in villages, that, in turn, is expected to help villages advance and prosper.

"Of course, such ideas should not set aside the principles of sustainable development. The point is that we should continue preserving the environment," he emphasized.

Governor Haris also stated that Minister Subianto had attended the meeting on behalf of President Joko Widodo, who was unable to be present due to an agenda of working visit abroad.

The national meeting of APDESI is taking place at the Jambi University Hall, Muaro Jambi District, Jambi Province, on July 25-27, 2023, and thousands of rural government leaders from across Indonesia are participating.

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Translator: Tuyani, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Sri Haryati
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