Remarks by the President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Meeting with Indonesian Students at Al-Azhar University, Cairo, at the Al-Azhar Convention Center, Cairo, Egypt, December 18, 2024
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Honorable Deputy Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar Prof. Dr. Mohammed Abdel Rahman Ad Duweiny; Chancellor of Al-Azhar University Prof. Dr. Salamah Dawud, as well as all the lecturers and academic community from Al-Azhar University;
Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Egypt Dr. Lutfi Rauf;
Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Republic of Indonesia His Excellency Yasser Elshemy;
Chairperson of the Indonesian Students Association in Egypt Razif Alif-Al Faiz, and to the beloved Indonesian students at Al-Azhar University in Cairo.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to be able to meet the Indonesian students who are currently studying at Al-Azhar University, a very, very famous historical university.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
There have been thousands of Al-Azhar alumni from Indonesia. Many Islamic scholars and leaders in Indonesia studied here; among the most famous are the 4th President of the Republic of Indonesia KH. Abdurrahman Wahid, known as Gus Dur; Minister of Religious Affairs in the 7th Development Cabinet Prof. Dr. Quraish Shihab; the Supreme Leader of Nahdlatul Ulama KH. Ahmad Mustofa Bisri (Gus Mus); and Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1999-2001 Prof. Dr. Alwi Shihab. And I think there are many more Indonesian prominent figures and leaders who graduated from Al-Azhar from various circles and organizations.
I am in Egypt for two important events. Today, I paid a state visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt. I was welcomed with great honor earlier at the Egyptian Presidential Palace in Cairo. My delegation and I, as well as President El-Sisi and his ministers, held quite in-depth and intensive talks there.
We have agreed on several important things. The point is that we want to foster and strengthen the relations between Indonesia and Egypt, which was once very close. Egypt historically has a special place in the hearts of our nation: Egypt was the first country to recognize the independence of the Republic of Indonesia without hesitation or thought. Once we proclaimed independence, Egypt was the first country to recognize our country, and finally, several other countries also recognized the independence and sovereignty of Indonesia.
Along the way, the leader of Egypt at that time, President Gamal Abdel Nasser, and the leader of Indonesia, President Soekarno, became very close. They were both pioneers in establishing the Non-Aligned Movement to unite developing countries that did not wish to join any blocs, be it the Western bloc or the Eastern bloc. Standing in the middle, respecting all countries and nations, all races, was the stance of our leaders at that time.
And that is the tradition that we want to continue, the tradition of Indonesia. I plan to continue and maintain such attitudes, that Indonesia is a nation that respects all nations and countries, does not want to get involved in hostilities or military pacts, always seeks peaceful solutions through advocating deliberation, collaboration, and cooperation, always advocates a middle path, not conflict. I plan to continue that, and that is aligned with my policy, be it in foreign or domestic policy.
I often say that the world is getting smaller in the 21st century, and technology is getting more sophisticated. Technology is now so sophisticated that it can provide many conveniences to humans, but at the same time, it can also easily destroy humans. This is what we see now.
Ladies and Gentlemen, my beloved students,
I certainly always convey that since you are all part of the future of Indonesia. You are our children who will continue the journey of our nation, Indonesia. Therefore, it is very important for you to study well, diligently, and properly. I am grateful that you chose to study at Al-Azhar University, a historic Islamic university that teaches peaceful, moderate Islamic lessons; a university that does not teach hatred and does not teach to find fault in others, but rather finding common ground. Let us work with each other, with all nations, other religions, tribes, and races, since we share the same ideals and interests. We want to seek a good life in this world, meaning a life free from fear and threats.
We must maintain a peaceful circumstance because the most important things are the security and safety of all humanity, as well as our own, our families, and our communities. Only then can we achieve what every human being aspires to: living safely and well and practicing goodness in accordance with the teachings of our respective religions.
These things are very important. You, as the youth, are the beacon of hope for us all. If Al-Azhar had ever produced a president, who knows, one of those sitting in front of me could also become the next Indonesian president. Please learn from the examples of our leaders. I know Gus Dur closely. He is a Muslim leader, the Chairperson of Indonesia’s largest Islamic organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Executive Board, and comes from a great sheikh family, the Tebu Ireng family. Nevertheless, he has a vast mind and a kind soul. He embraces all so that he becomes a famous inclusive Muslim figure and protector of all minorities.
I remember one of his maneuvers: when churches received bomb threats, he ordered his men from GP Ansor and Banser to guard all churches, monasteries, temples, and shrines. Such actions encourage and make us proud. It’s something rare, even in the world, for Muslim youths to stand in front of other religions’ places of worship on Christmas and New Year’s Day, on the big days of minority religions, to ensure security so that other believers can worship peacefully because the Muslim youths are guarding outside. This is Gus Dur’s leadership. This is an extraordinary example.
I have had to follow the example of such an action. When—even though Gus Dur was no longer among us—I led my party, at that time, there were more bomb threats to churches; I also ordered the youth members of the Gerindra Party to guard their respective cities. We guard all places of worship of other religions so that the believers can worship. This is an example and that is why Gus Dur is admired. Although his service as President of the Republic of Indonesia is just momentary, he is still respected and was finally proposed to be a national hero of Indonesia.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Just now was one example of an Al-Azhar alumni who had become a leader at the national level in the country and became President of the Republic of Indonesia. He provided leadership and statesmanship that should be emulated and respected by other nations. I happened to know him well and thank God the leadership he conveyed became a lesson for all of us.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In addition to the state visit to Egypt, tomorrow I will attend the D-8 Summit. The D-8 is the Developing Eight for Economic Cooperation, established in 1997 to continue economic and development cooperation between eight developing countries, namely Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Turkey, and Pakistan. Incidentally, its members are eight Muslim countries with large populations. Perhaps all of these countries have populations above 100 million. So, ladies and gentlemen, the D-8 was formed to carry out cooperation, especially economic cooperation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
If the D-8 joins, there will be a market of more than one billion people. Certainly, we have to admit we are not yet satisfied; there is still a lot to improve. We have to examine other forms of cooperation, and that is why we will meet again tomorrow. After that, next year, the Chair of D-8 will switch to the Republic of Indonesia. So, hopefully, we can do well.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The current situation of the world and the region is full of tension, conflict, and what we can call war. We are concerned about what is happening in this region to our brothers and sisters in Palestine, not only in the West Bank of Palestine or Gaza, but also in Lebanon, Syria, and other regions such as Libya, Sudan, and Yemen.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let us always be aware that if we are not harmonious and united and our leaders are not wise, then discordance is inevitable. If we break up, if there is no unity, there is weakness. If our country is weak, it cannot protect and maintain the safety of its people. I think this is a very important lesson for us.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Study diligently, study well, and be a good representative of Indonesia. Please do not embarrass our country, study well. I am grateful to receive a report that Indonesian students are among the foreign students who cause the least trouble at Al-Azhar and in Egypt. I hope the report is true, not just because the one who asks for it is the President of the Republic of Indonesia, then they convey good reports. But earlier President El-Sisi also said that every time he saw the faces of Indonesians in Egypt, he always saw good, happy faces. I hope that is also true. But if I look at your faces, it seems like what he said earlier is also true. So, thank you.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I tell you that our nation now wants to accelerate economic development. We are grateful to the presence of Almighty, Great God, who has given us so many gifts. The Indonesian people must be grateful. I have said on many occasions that the Indonesian people must be grateful. We have been given extraordinary gifts and natural wealth. I have been told the figures. We have strategic mines, critical minerals, and a variety of plants.
In the near future, in a few years, Indonesia will not only be self-sufficient in food but will also become a global food estate. Such things are the gifts given by the Almighty: vast and fertile land, sufficient water availability, and three-quarters of our country’s territory is sea. We are home to the second-largest fish reserves in the world. We are home to the third longest coastline in the world. Meaning, we can have tens of millions of hectares of fish, shrimp, lobster, and crab ponds. We will become the world’s leading exporter of fish and protein.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
All of these gifts are useless if we cannot manage them well. Therefore, I am determined to follow the mandate given to me by the Indonesian people. I was elected by the Indonesian people and sworn in before the people and the Almighty: I was sworn in to guard and implement all of our Constitutions. Therefore, I am responsible for guarding and managing all of our natural wealth so that it can be enjoyed as much as possible by all Indonesian people, not just a few.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We should be proud that our GDP is growing rapidly amid global uncertainty. Nevertheless, we realize that the growth is not evenly distributed since some people are still in a worrying state and can be classified as poor. I am determined that during my administration, I will fight as hard as possible to eliminate poverty in Indonesia.
Therefore, in order to maintain Indonesia’s wealth so that it is not mismanaged, leaked, or stolen, we must be determined to eradicate corruption from Indonesia. Many have mocked me, Prabowo Subianto. I am used to being mocked because I have been mocked and slandered for a long time, and until now, they do not believe me. Is it true that poverty can be reduced? I want to make a program to feed all Indonesian children, but I am mocked; some do not agree. I am also surprised that there are smart professors who also do not agree with the program. Whether these professors are smart or not, I do not know. Maybe they have brilliant brains, but their hearts cannot feel what the children feel when they come to school come with empty stomachs.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have no doubts. It doesn’t matter if I am mocked because I believe I am on the right path. I believe the Indonesian people support me. I will continue the program. For those who still doubt and wonder, during the two months of my leadership, I say to be more patient because I have only been in office for two months. Have you counted how many corruptors have been arrested?
Ladies and Gentlemen,
For those who want to insult me, please sit over there. This is nothing. In six months, you will be allowed to judge the Prabowo Subianto’s administration. I feel that if you have been elected by the people and sworn in before the Almighty, there is no need to hesitate. I am only loyal to the Indonesian people and only fear the God Almighty.
In these weeks, in these months, I give you the opportunity to repent. To corruptors or those who feel they have stolen from the people, if you return what you stole, maybe I will forgive you. But please return it. I will give you the opportunity to return it, you can do it secretly so that you don’t get caught. But please return it.
Next, for those of you who have received facilities from the nation, please pay your obligations. As long as you have paid your obligations and obeyed the law, that’s enough, let’s look to the future and don’t need to bring up what has passed. But if you continue to be stubborn, what can you do, we will enforce the law to you. State apparatus must choose to be loyal to the nation, state, and people or loyal to other parties. If you are loyal to the nation, state, and people, come with me! If not, believe me, I will clean up the Republic of Indonesia’s state apparatus. I believe and trust that the Indonesian people are behind me.
That concludes my remarks.
My children, please study well and diligently. Do your best for your nation, people, and state. Gain knowledge for the nation and do good for the people. That is my message.
Thank you for this opportunity, I can meet and talk with all of you in person. It is not easy to attend school in a foreign country and far from family. I believe you are patient and persistent when facing hardships. Happy studying and good luck.
To the Ambassador and education attaché, please monitor the situation of our children who are facing difficulties. Ladies and gentlemen, I will ask for a report from the Ambassador on your condition and how we can help you more here.
I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Well done.
Happy learning.
See you again.
(GWH/MUR)