Attending A Century Of Student Park, Prabowo Pays Respect To Indonesian Teachers

JAKARTA - Prabowo Subianto pays respects to the teachers and civil servants of the country while attending the 100th anniversary of Taman Siswa, at Tennis Indoor Senayan, Jakarta. Taman Siswa is an alternative education organization founded by Suwardi Suryaningrat or Ki Hadjar Dewantara.

“Gentlemen, I am a former soldier. In the army we have a habit of paying respects to those we respect. Let me pay my respects to the entire Taman Siswa family, all the civil servants wherever you are," Prabowo said as he straightened his body and paid his respects, greeted by the calls of the event participants.

Prabowo in his speech said Ki Hadjar Dewantara is a hero who is almost forgotten by us the next generation. Many do not understand how great Ki Hadjar Dewantara's service was to the independence of Indonesia.

Prabowo reminded that Taman Siswa was founded in 1922, long before the proclamation of independence on August 17, 1945. At that time Taman Siswa was established to fight colonialism.

“Taman Siswa was feared, feared by the Dutch. Taman Siswa was founded with one goal: independent Indonesia, and the figure of Ki Hadjar Dewantara began to instill in the entire Indonesian nation that it is impossible for Indonesia to be independent if the people are not smart, not intelligent, and have no education. There is no independent nation, no successful nation without successful education," Prabowo explained, quoted from a written statement, Sunday, July 24.

"Therefore, from the bottom of my heart I respect Taman Siswa. I respect the pamong, I respect the teachers," he continued.

Prabowo also said the teachers were the ones who gave Indonesia independence.

"You are the ones who prepare the next generation, you are the ones who will pioneer a prosperous Indonesia, a great Indonesia," Prabowo said.

Prabowo said the 132 branches and more than 800 Taman Siswa schools throughout Indonesia were a big and strong capital to develop education in the country with Taman Siswa education based on nationalism and togetherness, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, and Pancasila.

"That's why I say Taman Siswa is a strong and big capital for the Indonesian nation. I will learn how I can help develop and preserve the greatness of Taman Siswa," Prabowo said.