Prabowo To Failed Candidates And Cakada: Don't Give Up, Fall Is Ordinary

President Prabowo Subianto (doc Setneg)

JAKARTA President Prabowo Subianto gave an encouraging message to legislative candidates (caleg) and regional head candidates (cakada) who have not been successfully elected in the 2024 General Election and Regional Head Elections. He emphasized the importance of continuing to struggle and not giving up easily despite defeat.

"Ladies and gentlemen, especially those yesterday in the Pilkada have not been elected, as stated by your General Chair, never give up," Prabowo said at the peak of the 60th Anniversary of the Golkar Party at Sentul International Convention Center (SICC), Bogor, West Java, Thursday 12 December.

Prabowo reminded that defeat in political contestation is a common thing. He then shared his experience, considering his long journey in various political contestations until he was finally elected President of the Republic of Indonesia.

"I took a long time to become President of the Republic of Indonesia. I consider it part of the embezzlement and education. If I think about it, I'm tired too, 20 years: 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019, only in 2024. But maybe that's the journey I have to take," said Prabowo.

He asserted that failure was part of the struggle, but most importantly the ability to bounce back.

"Fighting, falling, it's normal. What's unusual is to stand up again and fight again. This is a lesson I've learned," he added.

Prabowo also expressed his support for the views of the General Chairperson of the Golkar Party, Bahlil Lahadalia, regarding the need for improvement in the Indonesian democratic system. According to him, the current democratic system has a number of weaknesses that need to be improved.

"I am interested in the thinking of the General Chair of the Golkar Party. In my opinion, we have to improve our system. We must not be ashamed to admit that this system may be too expensive, right? From the face that wins, let alone the losers. We must dare to correct ourselves," said Prabowo.

Through this message, Prabowo invites all parties, both winners and losers in political contestation, to continue to be enthusiastic and contribute in building a better Indonesia.