President Prabowo Subianto has once again firmly asserted that his relationship with Indonesia’s 7th President, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), remains excellent. He expressed surprise that some parties still suggest he harbors any fear of Jokowi, dismissing such notions as baseless.
“People say Mr. Prabowo is afraid of Mr. Jokowi. That’s simply not true. Why would I be afraid of him? We are hopeng (close friends), so why would I be afraid? Hahaha,” President Prabowo stated with a laugh during the inauguration of Lotte Chemical Indonesia in Cilegon, Banten, on Thursday, November 6.
President Prabowo highlighted that the establishment of this significant plant, a collaborative effort with South Korea’s Lotte Group, was largely attributable to President Jokowi’s vision and efforts during his tenure. He revealed that he had extended an invitation to President Jokowi to attend and co-inaugurate the facility, although Jokowi was ultimately unable to be present.
Beyond personal assurances and economic milestones, President Prabowo also took the opportunity to reflect on broader societal values. He lamented a perceived decline in the appreciation and respect for the contributions of previous leaders. While acknowledging that every leader has imperfections, he emphasized that these should not be grounds for ridicule or disparagement.
“I remind the younger generation, I remind the Indonesian people, let us be wise in honoring the services of all figures, the services of all leaders. Leaders are human beings. Are leaders perfectly flawless? No. Leaders certainly have their shortcomings, but essentially, let us maintain a sense of justice in our hearts,” he articulated, stressing the importance of a balanced perspective.
“Let us not perpetuate a culture of slander and mockery; instead, we must dedicate ourselves to hard work,” President Prabowo concluded, urging for national unity and a constructive approach to progress.
Summary
President Prabowo Subianto firmly asserted that his relationship with former President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) remains excellent, dismissing claims of fear as untrue and stating they are “close friends.” He expressed surprise that such notions persist, calling them baseless. Prabowo highlighted that the establishment of the Lotte Chemical Indonesia plant was largely due to Jokowi’s vision and efforts during his tenure, and he had invited Jokowi to co-inaugurate the facility.
President Prabowo also took the opportunity to address societal values, lamenting a decline in appreciation for previous leaders. He urged the Indonesian people, especially the younger generation, to be wise in honoring all figures and leaders, acknowledging imperfections but stressing the importance of justice and respect. Prabowo concluded by advocating for a constructive approach, emphasizing hard work over a culture of slander and mockery.