"The struggle does not end here. I will continue supporting IPSI and pencak silat as a warrior until the end of my life," he said in an Instagram post on Saturday (April 11), following his speech at the IPSI national conference in Jakarta.
Through his personal account @prabowo, the president described his decades-long leadership of IPSI as a meaningful journey marked by achievements, including the growing global recognition of pencak silat.
He said he attended the forum to present his accountability report for the 2021–2026 chairmanship period and expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to members of the association nationwide.
In addition to pledging lifelong support, Prabowo expressed hope that the incoming leadership would uphold the dignity of pencak silat as part of Indonesia’s cultural heritage and succeed in bringing the martial art to the Olympic stage for broader international recognition.
"Let us continue to protect and preserve pencak silat and take pride in it as part of the identity of the Indonesian nation," he said.
"Today, I am announcing that I will not continue as chair of the IPSI Executive Board, as I have taken on national duties that require my full time and attention," he said, urging the association to elect a capable successor.
The conference elected Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono by acclamation as the new chair of IPSI through 2030. He praised Prabowo for his significant contributions to pencak silat and expressed his readiness to further strengthen the martial art as both a sport and a cultural heritage.
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Translator: Fathur Rochman, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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