When "Citizens Protect Each Other" Becomes the Nation's Fortress, Prabowo Believes Indonesia Can Survive the Crisis

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto has responded to the collective action by the community, "Citizens Protect Each Other," and considered it crucial to prevent any parties from engaging in provocation or violence.

Prabowo stated that the action harkens back to Indonesia's traditional culture, namely the mobile security system (siskamling), which emphasizes the role of residents in securing their respective neighborhoods.

"We have our own neighborhood security. In the past, some were known as patrols, others as siskamling, and kentongan (a wooden drum). Each person provides security. If there are outsiders who are not clear, who want to incite, report them immediately. If necessary, expel them, or intercept them," Prabowo said at a meeting with several media leaders in Hambalang, West Java, in an official statement received on Monday, September 8.

Besides provocation, Prabowo emphasized that there can be no justification for acts of violence, including the burning of public facilities or buildings of democratic institutions, such as the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD).

According to the Head of State, anarchic actions are contrary to the interests of the people. This is because buildings, from democratic institutions to public facilities, such as bus stops, were built with public money.

"Those buildings were built with public money, which we worked so hard to collect. So, in my opinion, the parties who did this don't love their country, they don't love the people. They talk about loving the people, but they want to pit the people against their leaders for unclear purposes," he said.

Prabowo also emphasized his commitment to remaining at the forefront of eradicating corruption and saving public money.

The President also asked the public to submit suggestions and to participate in overcoming corruption to save public money.

While acknowledging that there are parties who want to undermine domestic stability, Prabowo is optimistic that Indonesia can overcome this test.

"Overall, I believe in the strength of our nation. We have experienced many crises, these are artificial crises, but we will overcome them," the President said.

According to information gathered, President Prabowo held a meeting with at least six media editors-in-chief at his private residence in Hambalang, West Java, on Saturday (September 6).

The meeting lasted almost 14 hours, from Saturday (September 6) morning to Sunday (August 7) ​​early morning. According to an official photo from President Prabowo Subianto's Media Team, the six editors-in-chief sat around a round table.

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya and Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Angga Raka Prabowo accompanied the President in the meeting which mainly discussed the 17+8 demands of the people.