President Prabowo Underlines Unity among Elites as Key to Nation Building

President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that synergy and collaboration among national elite elements are key factors in successful nation-building.

According to the President, nation-building is a long and difficult process that requires the mobilization of all national strengths and resources.

“Nation-building and national development are indeed a very long and very difficult process. And in this process, the history of human civilization teaches us that the economy cannot be separated from politics, culture, and even religion,” the President said at a meeting with executives from both national and regional levels of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) from all across Indonesia, at the State Palace, Jakarta, Friday (07/31).

He further explained that nation building is a cross-sectoral issue. Therefore, all national strengths must be assembled and united so that every resource in Indonesia can be used optimally for the benefit of the people.

“We have to understand that nation building is cross-sectoral development. That is why nation building requires strength, the strength of the nation, to be mobilized, to be united, so that the nation can make full use of all the resources it has,” he said.

The Head of State also urged all parties to learn from the history of various countries in human civilization. According to the President, one of the main differences between successful states and failed states is the ability of their elites to work together.

“What we must learn is the need for synergy among the elites, the need for cooperation and collaboration. All successful nations have elites who can work together. All failed states have elites who are constantly in conflict,” the President said, adding that the nation’s elite are not limited to political and economic figures. National elite also include leaders in intellectual, religious, cultural, artistic, business, and labor circles.

“What do we mean by elite? Elite means leadership elements. So the nation’s elite are political elites, economic elites, intellectual elites, religious elites, cultural elites, artistic elites, producer elites, and labor elites,” he said.

According to him, historical experience clearly shows that prolonged conflict among elites will hinder a country’s progress. For that reason, all national leaders need to put the common interest above their own differences.

On that occasion, President Prabowo also expressed appreciation to the Red and White Cabinet and Kadin Indonesia, which, since the beginning of his administration, have shown their commitment to working and fighting together with the Government for the benefit of the nation and the state.

“I am very grateful. I am very happy that from the beginning of the Government I lead, you have shown your intention to work together and to fight together for the entire nation and state,” the President said.

With the spirit of unity and collaboration among all elements of the nation, President Prabowo expressed belief that Indonesia has a strong foundation to accelerate development, strengthen competitiveness, and realize the aspiration toward a more advanced, just, and prosperous Indonesia. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (EST/TM)