Prabowo: Setelah Pemilu Bertengkar, Ribut Kalah, Kapan Kita Mau Rakyat Sejahtera?

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto revealed his belief in democracy and general elections so that when he lost four times in the presidential election (pilpres), he never interfered with leaders who received mandates and were chosen by the people.

In front of 2,600 academicians from various regions of Indonesia, President Prabowo delivered the statement while inviting academics and scientists to reflect on the meaning of statehood.

"I always try to persuade, I as a political leader, I am democratically elected, I go to the people five times to ask for a mandate, four times I am not given a mandate. Four times I lost, but I did not interfere with the leader who can get a mandate," said President Prabowo when giving a speech at the opening of the National Sarasehan at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta, Friday, June 26 as reported by ANTARA.

Thousands of participants who filled Hall B of the JCC immediately welcomed President Prabowo's statement with loud applause.

Prabowo then continued to reveal the reason for his choice of attitude. The President explained that he understood and realized that the Indonesian nation had agreed to live in a country where the highest sovereignty was the sovereignty of the people.

"So, the sovereignty of the people is democracy. Democracy is elections. We understand. We may not be satisfied, but what is the alternative? Do we want to fight? Every election is a fight. The loser is noisy, the loser is noisy. When do we want to move towards prosperity for our people?" said the President.

Therefore, the President then invited all groups of people to reflect on the purpose of being a state, which, among other things, as children of the nation, must devote themselves to the people.

"Isn't that our duty as a nation, as leaders, as the most powerful people in this country? Isn't that? All the power we have must be dedicated to our poorest and weakest people. Isn't that?" said President Prabowo.

"Please, if anyone has a different opinion, the right (of them, ed.), I say we are different. If someone thinks that the commotion, the noise, the burning, the anarchy, the hatred, the hostility, the insults are productive, while other countries are heading for prosperity, towards breakthroughs, towards wealth," continued the President.

President Prabowo's opening speech lasted for approximately 40 minutes, then the briefing session and the opening ceremony of the National Sarasehan were continued behind closed doors with the media.

The President explained that he wanted to talk "heart to heart" with professors and other academicians.

"I want to give what I have. I want to give data, facts, what I have, and brothers as scientists, study, study. If the data, facts are scientifically evaluated by you, you consider it relevant, please make conclusions," said Prabowo.