Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Inauguration of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika Campus of Indonesia Defense University, at Indonesia Defense University, Bogor Regency, West Java Province, Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Good afternoon,

May peace be upon us all,

Shalom,

Salve,

Om swastiastu.

Distinguished Sixth President of the Republic of Indonesia, General (Ret.) Prof. Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is also one of the founders of the Indonesia Defense University,

Distinguished Coordinating Ministers, Ministers, Vice Ministers, Heads of Agencies, Heads of Institutions, all members of the Red-and-White Cabinet, whom I cannot name one by one with all due respect.

If the guests feel hot, the host must feel hot too.

Distinguished Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) General Agus Subiyanto, Chief of the National Police of the Republic of Indonesia (Polri) General Listyo Sigit Prabowo—I should have mentioned the Police Chief before the Military Commander, if it was in the order of my full name.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Your Excellency Defense Minister of Pakistan,

Your Excellencies Ambassadors and high-ranking officers from friendly countries,

Presidents of state and private higher education institutions in attendance,

Governor of West Java Dedi Mulyadi,

Distinguished University Students, Cadets of the Indonesia Defense University,

I mentioned you last because you are young. That should be alright, shouldn’t it? I should not mention the seniors last. That should be fine, you’re young. The younger generation will take our place on this stage one day.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I will be brief. I only wanted to say that on the first day I became Minister of Defense, I checked the organizational structure of the Ministry of Defense, and I saw the Defense University. In my view, educational institutions determine whether or not we succeed as a nation. Everything begins with educational institutions, from education. That is reflected in our State Budget. As President of the Republic of Indonesia, I proposed that in the State Budget, the education sector be allocated the highest budget among others. Education is the highest, and if I am not mistaken, it is the highest in the history of the Republic of Indonesia. The law mandates us to allocate 20 percent for education. If I am not mistaken, our budget is beyond that.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me also express the highest appreciation to the founder of this university, our sixth president, Mr. SBY (Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono), who had a long-term vision. As a president, he thought about the nation’s future leaders. And for that reason, I suppose we should be grateful and proud that today, the very initiator and founder of the institution is here for the inauguration. Thank you, Mr. SBY, for being here.

I suppose the nation and the state already know the story of me and Mr. SBY. Some people laughed. Mr. SBY and I have a special history. We entered the Military Academy in the same year. He graduated in 1973. Because the school truly cared about me, really loved me, I studied for one more year. Perhaps because our educational institution was great, they could see which students had matured and should graduate. Some had to be polished a little more. However, both of us became the President of the Republic of Indonesia.

Nevertheless, student cadets, you must follow Mr. SBY’s lead. Do not misbehave. I was an anomaly. Apologies, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Ladies and Gentlemen, in short, education is truly important. I hope the Defense University generates cadres not only keen on defense but also for the nation. This is what I learned from developed countries. When I went to the United States, I visited the United States Military Academy West Point. The purpose of the United States Military Academy is to create leaders of the United States of America, not soldiers, but leaders of the United States, leaders for the nation.

That is our hope: that the Defense University and all educational institutions will serve and contribute to the state and the nation in every sector. Especially in today’s era, we must master science and technology. In this modern world, only with science and technology can we eradicate poverty and transform into a developed, modern country. I suppose so.

Leaders of the Defense University, I ask you to work and serve as best you can. Create a new culture, one that upholds the values of true patriotism. Do not be afraid to admit weaknesses or shortcomings, to face difficulties, challenges, and obstructions. Do not be deterred.

Someone great once said in a lecture that if you see a difficulty, if you see a problem, do not run away from the problem, do not run away from the difficulty. Run towards the difficulty, run towards the problem and solve the problem. That is what we hope for. That is the characteristic of a good leader. Never be afraid of hardship. Never be afraid to acknowledge weaknesses. When we admit weaknesses, we will overcome them.

That is what I wanted to say. Thank you for being here.

Thank you very much distinguished guests. I apologize, you are under the sun so long. I am trying to cut my speech as short as possible, that is why I have to stand here with you. Since you are not wearing dark glasses, I took off my dark glasses also.

That would be all, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much, once again. And we are proud. The most important thing is to maintain [the building] as well as you can, to take care of it as best as possible. Create an appropriate and good atmosphere.

Thank you for your attention, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you, public figures, is that Professor Jimly? I apologize for not greeting you and other national figures in attendance. Thank you.

Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. 

May peace be upon us all.

Shalom,

Om santi santi santi om,

Namo Buddhaya, 

Rahayu rahayu,

Greetings of virtue,

I thank you.

Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! (Freedom)

Thank you.

(DH/MUR)