Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia during the 23rd Muhammadiyah Student Association (IPM) Conference, at the Multipurpose Building of the North Sumatra Provincial Government, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra Province, August 19, 2023
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Asyhadu alla ilaaha Illallah wahdahulaa syarikalah, wa asyhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu warasuluh, alladzi la nabiyah ba’da.
Distinguished Minister of Youth and Sports attending this event with me this morning;
Distinguished Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI);
Distinguished Governor of North Sumatra along with Mayors and Regents in attendance;
Distinguished Chairperson of Muhammadiyah Professor Kiai Haji Haedar Nashir along with all ranks and extended family of Muhammadiyah;
Distinguished Chairperson of Aisyiyah (women’s wing of Muhammadiyah) and all ranks in attendance;
Distinguished Chairperson of the Central Executive Board of Muhammadiyah Student Association along with all board members, all Muhammadiyah Student Association (IPM) cadres from Sabang to Merauke whom I am proud of and I love;
Ladies and Gentlemen, Esteemed Guests;
Oh and, also present here with us Chairperson of Commission I of the House of Representatives Ibu Meutya Hafid.
I remember the last time we met in person. I met the Muhammadiyah Student Association in 2008 in Sidoarjo during the 21st IPM conference. So, it has been almost 4 or 5 years since we met. Alhamdulillah, this forum can cure my longing for the IPM. When the IPM sent me an invitation to its conference, it was delivered by Mas Nashir Efendi himself to the Palace, I tried to make time. Today, I was supposed to leave for Africa, but due to the 23rd Congress of the Muhammadiyah Student Association, then I postponed my departure tomorrow. And I will depart not from Jakarta. I will instead take off from Medan. Once again, I came because I missed meeting you all. I am happy. I can honestly say I am happy to be here.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The present time is characterized as the era of youth. Once again, an era for the young generation. Generation Y (Gen Y), Generation Z (Gen Z), and Generation Alpha. It is your era, not my era anymore. I belong to the older generation. It is a different generation. We can tell it easily. It is very easy. If people look at their cell phones from a distance like this, then it is obvious which generation they are. Clearly.
Indeed everything is becoming digital now. Even, most restaurants are using QR codes for their menus. People can just digitally visit marketplaces to shop or get a ride through certain platforms. They could also make the payment digitally using QRIS. That is why smartphones hold significant importance in the present era.
For the older generation, they could go panic if they did not take wallets with them. They would be worried and come back home right away to pick up their wallets. Conversely, young people could only bring one smartphone. It is all in one already.
Not to mention the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, which is sophisticated with generative AI features. For instance, I think we are all familiar with ChatGPT. We could just ask anything and it will give answers. We could ask it to do an analysis, prepare materials, assignments, work on papers, or even do a thesis.
Anyway, I want to know who is here who uses ChatGPT to do assignments or papers. Please, raise your hand. Anyone? The ones who raised their hands please come forward. But hold on, I have a few questions. There will be questions. Just do not come forward unless you can answer the questions. Far from the eyes but close to the heart, what is it? One person, please step forward. Well, two people may work, one should also be fine. The two people who ran earlier may step forward, please.
Once again, my question is “Far from the eyes but close to the heart” what is it?
IPM Conference Participant (Representative 1)
Me, Sir, I honestly have no idea. But I know that the only thing far from the eyes but close to the heart is Allah SWT. And for me, Mr. President, the only one who is far from the eyes but close to the heart is the amazing President Joko Widodo. Wonderful. Thank you, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Anyone? Far from the eyes but close to the heart?
IPM Conference Participant (Representative 2)
First, it is probably Allah SWT. Second, my parents. Third, it is you Mr. Jokowi, because you are standing next to me.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
I actually did not prepare such answers. These participants gave me serious answers, yet the question was not really serious. Far from the eyes but close to the heart. All of your answers are correct. However, that was not what I meant. Does anyone know? It is nothing serious. Far from the eyes but close to the heart, what is it? Please, just answer it right away.
IPM Conference Participant (Representative 3)
Far from the eyes but close to the heart, it is the feeling of longing, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
The feeling of longing?
IPM Conference Participant (Representative 3)
Yes, it is.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
The answer is getting far from correct. What’s your name?
IPM Conference Participant (Representative 3)
It is Adli. Adli, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Adli is a very romantic person, isn’t he? Still wrong. Far from the eyes but close to the heart, please one more person. Please, yes, go ahead. Please answer immediately, far from the eyes but close to the heart, what is it?
IPM Conference Participant (Representative 4)
Um, so my answer is not going too far. Well, since we all are here, the IPM. So, what is far from the eyes but close to the heart is our organization, the Muhammadiyah Student Association. The IPM, our pride, the biggest student organization, the best one.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Done? So your answer is the IPM?
IPM Conference Participant (Representative 4)
Yes.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, that’s right. For the entire IPM extended family, the answer is correct, but it is not the correct answer for me. Please, you can return to your seat. Thank you. Thank you. The last one who said, “Sir, my name is Makruf Amin.”
Ladies and Gentlemen, Esteemed Guests.
Indeed, all these digital things just make the younger generation superior. Because they grow up in the digital era. They have been digital native since day one. Therefore, I called on the young generation to learn, master, and develop science and technology and make the most of it for the sake of people’s welfare so that you can become a formidable force that masters the development of science and technology and has a noble character, good morals, and fight for truth and humanity. There’s no use for getting straight A’s in school but you have zero moral. It means nothing if you don’t have good manners. Do you agree?
To that end, I hope Muhammadiyah students can set an example, be a progressive Muslim generation who have a great mastery of science and technology, and at the same time have morals, good manners and a great mentality. For me, that is the ideal Muhammadiyah student figure.
Lastly, I want you to guess again. Hopefully, someone will guess it right this time. If anyone can answer this one, I will give you a bicycle. Those sitting up there are welcome to come forward. Listen. Grey hair, grey hair is called uban. Auburn hair is called pirang (reddish brown). Then, what is green hair called? You who’s running, please come forward. Please, go ahead. Grey hair is called uban. Auburn hair is called pirang (reddish brown). Then, what is green hair called? Go ahead. Your name, please.
IPM Conference Participant (Representative 5)
Alright. Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Wa’alaikumsalam, please introduce yourself.
IPM Conference Participant (Representative 5)
Long live, IPM. Long live, IPM. Long live, IPM.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Do not make a speech here. Your name, please.
IPM Conference Participant (Representative 5)
Okay, my name is Aryo Prasetyo. I come from Depok.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Who?
IPM Conference Participant (Representative 5)
Aryo Prasetyo, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Aryo Prasetyo from Depok.
IPM Conference Participant (Representative 5)
I am from Depok. However, I am currently moving from my hometown to Bangka Belitung. I am a representative from Pangkalpinang-based IPM. May I answer it right away, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Please do. Listen carefully, and guess it right away. Grey hair, grey hair is called uban. Auburn hair is called pirang. Then, what is green hair called?
IPM Conference Participant (Representative 5)
It is called unripe rambutan, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
You get a bicycle. Please.
IPM Conference Participant (Representative 5)
Thank you, Sir.
Presiden Republik Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
That concludes my remarks on this auspicious opportunity. I wish all the participants a good conference. And, by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this afternoon I officially opened the 23rd Conference of the Muhammadiyah Student Association.
I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
(RIF/MMB)