Speaking at the Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the Joint Session of the House of Representatives (DPR) and Regional Representative Council (DPD) at the Nusantara Building in the parliamentary complex, Jakarta, Friday, Prabowo elaborated on the accomplishments of Indonesia’s first through seventh presidents.
“President Soekarno led the struggle to establish the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and succeeded in maintaining the territorial integrity of the Republic amidst various foreign interventions and invasions,” he stated.
Prabowo, who serves as the eighth president of Indonesia, added that President Soekarno also successfully integrated Western New Guinea (Irian Barat) into the Republic of Indonesia.
He went on to acknowledge President Soeharto for achieving national food self-sufficiency, initiating economic industrialization, and reducing extreme poverty during his tenure.
President B.J. Habibie, he said, introduced Indonesia toward high technology and was able to restore the economy following the 1998 financial crisis.
Prabowo praised President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) for safeguarding national stability and strengthening interreligious harmony.
He commended President Megawati Soekarnoputri who successfully led the recovery from prolonged economic turmoil and oversaw the implementation of Indonesia’s first direct presidential election.
Turning to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Prabowo mentioned his efforts in managing economic vulnerabilities during the 2008 global financial crisis and resolving the Aceh conflict.
“President Joko Widodo built vital infrastructure, improved connectivity between economic hubs, and led us through a critical period during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Prabowo stated.
The 2025 MPR Annual Session and Joint Session of the DPR and DPD was attended by more than 600 lawmakers, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, cabinet ministers, foreign dignitaries, political party leaders, and former state leaders.
Among the attendees were former President Joko Widodo, former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, former Vice Presidents Try Sutrisno, Jusuf Kalla, Boediono, and Ma’ruf Amin.
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Translator: Genta Tenri Mawangi, Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: Primayanti
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