"All of them, in their own way, have contributed to what we enjoy today: a whole, sovereign, and independent country that continues to maintain and fight for independence and justice," he said in his inaugural speech at the parliament complex.
Prabowo expressed his gratitude to the 7th president, Joko Widodo, for his leadership and statesmanship during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic.
Having served as defense minister in Widodo's Cabinet, Prabowo noted how Widodo made the firm decision not to implement a lockdown.
"He thought, if we carry out a lockdown, what will happen to vulnerable people, small restaurant owners, motorcycle drivers, and those who depend on daily wages?" he explained.
Prabowo also thanked Soekarno, the 1st president, for liberating the nation from colonialism and establishing Pancasila as the state ideology.
He acknowledged the 2nd president, Soeharto, for safeguarding and promoting the Pancasila ideology during turbulent times and for helping to build Indonesia into a modern nation.
He expressed gratitude to B.J. Habibie, the 3rd president, for his contributions to the country's science and technology sector.
Next, he thanked Abdurrahman Wahid, the 4th president, for exemplifying inter-religious and inter-ethnic tolerance that upholds inclusivity.
He praised the 5th president, Megawati Soekarnoputri, for addressing the economic challenges arising from the 1998 crisis.
Prabowo also recognized the 6th president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, for leading Indonesia through crises such as the Aceh tsunami in 2004.
Prabowo and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka took their oaths of office for the 2024–2029 term during a plenary session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in Jakarta on Sunday, succeeding Joko Widodo and Ma'ruf Amin.
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Translator: Imamatul S, Kenzu
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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