Prabowo Subianto Feels He Has Special Relations With Tanah Minang And Minangkabau Residents

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto while attending the inauguration of the Batagak Gala traditional title in Tanah Datar Regency, (photo: dock. intermediate)

The Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto said he owed gratitude and had a special relationship with Tanah Minang and Minangkabau residents. "I feel that I have a special relationship with Tanah Minang and the people of Minangkabau," said Prabowo Subianto in Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra, Saturday, April 29. As a child, Prabowo told me that he had been in West Sumatra and he knew how the struggle of the Minangkabau Land against the Indonesian people. The Minangkabau people have given the best sons and daughters to the nation and state, he added. He said Indonesia was lucky to have many national figures born from Tanah Minang. In fact, the first Indonesian Vice President, Mohammad Hatta, was also born from Minang Land. Hatta and the first President of the Republic of Indonesia Soekarno contributed to uniting the Indonesian people and leading the struggle at full risk. "They (Soekarno-Hatta) risked their lives to lead us to become an independent country," Prabowo said, quoted by Antara.

Prabowo also mentioned the first prime minister, as well as a key figure at the beginning of Indonesia's independence war, namely Sutan Sjahrir.

"Siapa yang tidak mengenal Mohammad Natsir yang juga Perdana Menteri Indonesia? Tokoh nasional yang mengantar Indonesia dari negara federal kembali ke NKRI," katanya.Selain itu, Prabowo juga menyebut nama Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana di bidang kesusastraan, Tan Malaka, Mohammad Yamin hingga banyak tokoh lainnya dariMinangkabau.Tidak hanya tokoh yang aktif di bidang birokrasi dan pergerakan nasional, Prabowo yang sebelumnya juga aktif di dunia kemiliteran mengatakan Tanah Minang juga banyak melahirkan prajurit TNI yang tangguh."Saya merasa rakyat Minangkabau setia, berani, dan penuh pendirian serta teguh pada prinsip," ujarnya.