Giving A Public Lecture At The Defense University, Megawati: Don't Be Soft, Must Be Enthusiastic As A Nation

PDIP General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri while delivering a public lecture at the Defense University (DPP PDIP)

JAKARTA - The Chairperson of the PDI-P who is also a Professor at the Defense University, Megawati Soekarnoputri, gave a public lecture entitled Soekarno's Geopolitics and the Hybrid New World Order.

In her speech, Megawati reminded the importance of upholding the spirit of defending the country. This is important considering the current global situation and dynamics.

"Don't be soft, you have to be enthusiastic as a nation," Megawati said during her speech as quoted from her written statement, Tuesday, April 5.

Megawati invites students to open their minds to see a problem clearly and objectively. Not only that, he also asked students to pay attention to the material he presented. While joking, Megawati asked the Chancellor of the Defense University.

"Will I be able to test students later?" he asked.

"I want to give this lecture not just a lecture. But to bring the spirit of struggle back to you smart people to build Indonesia into the future," added the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia.

Megawati said that geopolitics is still not a concern for many parties. Thus, he encouraged students that geopolitics is very important to know.

In her presentation, Megawati talked a lot about Soekarno or Bung Karno's way of thinking. To make it easier to explain, he gave some examples of events that occurred now and some time ago.

For all of her presentations, Megawati said that the material she presented was open to be discussed by students.

Responding to the explanation, Defense University Professor Purnomo Yusgiantoro said Bung Karno was not only a Proclaimer of the Republic of Indonesia but also a geopolitics conceptor in the country whose application was not only initiated at the National Defense Institute in 1965 but has also been implemented until now.

"Soekarno's geopolitics is still applicable. Whatever it is, geopolitics depends on the leader," said Purnomo.

"Soekarno's geopolitics alludes to Indonesia's geography between two continents and two oceans, so the perspective on oneself and the environment is very important," added the former Minister in the Megawati era.

He also mentioned Megawati's leadership during the crisis caused by the 1998 monetary crisis with various bold decisions.

Before closing his statement, the Chancellor of the Defense University Vice Admiral Amarulla Octavian handed over certificates, plaques and books to Megawati. The handover was witnessed by Purnomo Yusgiantoro.