Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the 50th Anniversary of the United Development Party (PPP) and Opening of the 2023 National Workshop of the PPP Fraction of the House of Representatives and Regional Legislative Councils, February 17, 2023

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,

Alhamdulillahirabbil ‘alamin, washalatu wasalamu ‘ala asrafil ambiya’i wal mursalin, sayyidina wa habibina wa syafiina wa maulana Muhammadin, wa ‘ala alihi washahbihi ajma’in. Amma ba’du.

Honorable Ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet in attendance. I will not mention the Ministers one by one as the Chairman of PPP has mentioned before,

Honorable Chairman and Members of Honorary Council of PPP, Chairman and Members of Sharia Council of PPP, Chairman and Members of Advisory Council of PPP, Chairman and Expert Council of PPP Central Board,

Honorable Chairman of Central Board of PPP Bapak Mardiono, along with Secretary-General of PPP Bapak Haji Muhammad Arwani Thomafi,

Honorable members of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia, the  Provincial and Regency/City Legislative Councils from PPP Fraction across Indonesia,

Honorable Chairmen and Leaders of Political Parties,

Honorable Ulemas, Islamic Scholars, Clerics, Ibu Nyai,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Distinguished Guests,

First of all, to the big family, committee, members, and cadres of the United Development Party (PPP), I would like to convey my sincere congratulations on the 50th anniversary of the United Development Party as well as my highest appreciation for the PPP’s contribution to the history of development of our country, Indonesia.

We all hope that the PPP will be successful in the 2024 General Elections, gain more votes, gain more seats at the House of Representatives/Regional Legislative Councils.

I chatted with the Chairman and Secretary-General, asking how many seats are the PPP’s target in 2024 General Elections? It will be 39 seats minimum. Now, the PPP has 19 seats. It means the target is more than 100 percent. In my opinion, it is not difficult for the PPP to achieve the target as it is well-known for its 50 year history of persistence and toughness. The PPP is tough and resilient to cope with the pressure. The PPP is able to survive, to endure, and still exists until now. Be mindful, the PPP is 50 years old and still exists until now. What does it mean? The PPP is an extraordinary champion. I believe that 50 years means the PPP has networks and infrastructures; they are Islamic scholars throughout Indonesia. Then, it is PPP’s intention to be ready for gaining 39 seats in the General Elections.

Again, in my vision, I have confidence that, insya Allah, there will be no problem. Of course, the target can be achieved through hard work. I silently follow the news about the Chairman’s activities. I know where the Chairman goes. I know how many constituents greet him. I know where big meetings take place. Therefore, I am confident that the target can be achieved with hard work.

Secondly, let’s talk about 2024 issues. Previously we were talking about legislative affairs. Now, we are talking about candidates for president and vice president. May I ask who the candidates from PPP are? All candidates for president and vice president are present here. I am familiar with Bapak Prabowo, Bapak Erick Thohir, Bapak Sandiaga Uno, Bapak Mahfud MD. I almost forget, Mas Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and, of course, the Chairman of PPP are also here with us. Did I forget to mention other candidates?

So, I would say the most important thing is that 2024 is only a year away because voting will take place in February [2024]. Now we are in February [2023]. I urge all of us to maintain political and security stabilities. Stability is important as we are facing the risks of global crisis, whose effects are hard to predict and calculate.

The Chairman has informed me that there are 16 countries counting on IMF credit. It was last year. I have recently received updated information that 47 countries are counting on IMF credit. We once counted on IMF credit in 1997-1998. Therefore, we must keep this good economic situation. We have to make sure that our good economic situation will not be disturbed by general elections, regional elections next year. Together we must maintain this favorable situation.

We do not count on IMF credit anymore. And, alhamdulillah, we must be grateful that last year Indonesia’s economy grew by 5.31 percent, ranked second among G20 countries. Previously, we were behind China, South Korea, and Japan. Now, we are better than those countries, better than China, the US, and the European Union. We must be grateful.

Therefore, I remind all of us to maintain conducive security and political stabilities in order to keep our economic growth undisturbed. So, people’s life is not disturbed by our 2024 political events.

That concludes my statement. By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, today I officially open the Workshop of Members of Provincial and Regency/City Legislative Councils from the United Development Party.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

(GA/MMB)