Confrontation, Disputes Only Cause Suffering, President Jokowi Says

The UKI academic community welcomes President Jokowi at the UKI Campus, Cawang, Jakarta, Monday (10/15). (Photo: Jay/Public Relations).

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo explained the meaning of his speech about the Game of Thrones series, which he delivered at the opening of the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Bali, on Friday (12/10) while attending the Indonesian Christian University (UKI) Senate Open Meeting in the Lustrum XIII concatenation, at UKI Campus, Cawang, Jakarta, Monday (15/10).

“The moral message I wanted to convey at that time is that confrontation and disputes will only cause suffering, not only for the losers but also for the winners,” President Jokowi said.

The President said that the current global economic and political events are colored by the struggle between the big powers, namely between the big countries and the elite countries. The struggle for power between big powers, according to him, is like a rotating life cycle wheel.

“An elite country triumphs, while other countries are experiencing setbacks and destruction,” the President said.

When these great powers are busy fighting each other, the President continued, they are not aware of  greater threats, such as climate change, global terrorism, and the global economic slowdown. It’s very unfortunate if all of them are late to realize it. “The winners and losers will only get a ravaged world,” President Jokowi said.

The Head of State emphasized that we should not commit destruction only to obtain a victory because it will be meaningless if a victory celebrated in the midst of destruction.

The moral message he delivered in the speech in Bali, according to President Jokowi, was not only relevant to the current world leaders, but also to the people of Indonesia, especially the leaders in the country. He also mentioned that in the political years, we will all be involved in the process of political contestation.

The President admitted that political contestation will be followed by competition and rivalry and he reminded that competition and rivalry must not slander each other. “We must not cause hostility, hatred, inappropriate critics, slander, and provoke each other,” he firmly said.

Political contestation, President Jokowi continued, must not sacrifice our national foundation such as stability, security, tolerance, and unity. The President also urges the people to celebrate the fiesta of democracy with joy.

“Our fiesta of democracy must be filled by soothing narratives and ideas for develop our country,” President Jokowi said, adding that we also must celebrate our differences in choices with maturity and open hearts that will strengthen Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity, the national motto).

Also attending the event were Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education M. Nasir, Rector of UKI and the UKI academic community. (DNA/JAY/ES) (GWH/YM/Naster)