“I have learned a great deal from Bung Karno’s teachings. Bung Karno does not belong to one party; he belongs to all Indonesians,” Prabowo said in Nganjuk, East Java.
Prabowo said he had studied the ideas of Indonesia’s founding leaders and understood their vision for the country.
Besides Sukarno, he also referred to Mohammad Hatta and Sutan Sjahrir as national figures belonging to all Indonesians.
He said Indonesia could become a strong and advanced nation if its people remained united.
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Prabowo also discussed Indonesia’s foreign policy, saying the country continued to uphold its long-standing “free and active” diplomatic principle.
“Many regions are at war, but Indonesia remains free and active. One thousand friends are too few, one enemy is too many. We respect everyone,” he said.
He added that Indonesia continued strengthening relations with neighboring countries through a policy of good-neighbor diplomacy.
Prabowo cited the completion of several long-delayed agreements with Singapore and improving ties with Vietnam and China.
“Thank God, disputes in Natuna are no longer frequent,” he said, referring to tensions in waters near Indonesia’s Natuna Islands.
Prabowo also described Indonesia’s relations with Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Australia and Thailand as being in good condition.
He also recalled receiving Sitiveni Rabuka at Jakarta’s Merdeka Palace in April last year.
According to Prabowo, the Fijian leader was touched by Indonesia’s warm reception despite Fiji’s relatively small population of about one million people.
Prabowo said respecting guests and valuing others reflected Indonesian culture and the teachings passed down by the country’s founding generation.
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“That is Indonesia. We are taught to respect parents, teachers and guests. That is Indonesian culture,” he said.
Translator: Fathur, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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