Defense Minister: The Role Of Villages Is Important To Strengthen Defense And Security Systems

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto (center) received a visit from Apdesi and Deputy Chairman of Commission IV of the DPR Dedi Mulyadi/ANTARA/HO-Biro Public Relations of the Secretariat General of the Ministry of Defense

Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto said the role of the village is important to strengthen the defense and security system of the people of the universe (sishankamrata) because maintaining the integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia is the responsibility of all people, including residents and village governments.

Therefore, Prabowo welcomed the visit of the All-Indonesian Village Government Association (Apdesi) to the Ministry of Defense Office, Jakarta, Wednesday, to discuss issues of defense, security, and village welfare.

"Apdesi's visit to the Ministry of Defense is appropriate and important because to better know and understand that our defense system is Sishankamrata," Prabowo said when receiving a visit from the General Chairperson of Apdesi Surya Wijaya as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, May 17.

During the meeting, Prabowo explained that Indonesia's defense was Sishankamrata, which meant it covered all Indonesian people. The success of the Indonesian people in facing attacks during the struggle could not be separated from the Sishankamrata.

"So our defense is all the people. All the people who are responsible, all the people who will defend this nation and country. We have proven it many times. Therefore, as village leaders, I think it has a very important role," said the Minister of Defense.

During the meeting, Prabowo also recalled several collaborations he had made with Apdesi, including encouraging the formation of village funds that are currently running.

"In the past, we had fought together. We generated village funds and that was one of our struggles. When I was at HKTI (Indonesian Farmers Harmony Association) together with Apdesi and many other organizations at the village level, such as PPDI (Indonesian Village Apparatus Association) and Parade Nusantara, we were able to realize what is now a state program, that's village assistance," said Prabowo.

On that occasion, Prabowo not only received a visit from the General Chairperson of Apdesi and his board, but also the Deputy Chairman of Commission IV of the DPR RI for Agriculture, Livestock, Maritime Affairs, Fisheries, Forestry, and Environment Dedi Mulyadi.

Dedi Mulyadi's meeting with Prabowo at the Ministry of Defense's lantor was also the first after the DPR member left the Golkar Party and joined the Gerindra Party led by Prabowo.