Jakarta – Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto gave guidance to 906 young officer candidates of the TNI-Polri 2024 in Jakarta on Friday (12/7). He emphasized to the hundreds of young officer candidates that they must become strong and extraordinary soldiers and police officers.
He explained that the initial national goal in the opening of the 1945 Constitution was to protect the entire Indonesian nation and all Indonesian bloodlines.
“The first is to protect, then to advance prosperity. So, the economy, prosperity is the second, the first is to protect then to educate, to carry out world order,” said Prabowo.
According to Prabowo, development will be in vain if the country is unable to protect its people.
“What’s the point of building buildings, ports, airports, railways, highways, reservoirs if this country is not intact, not safe, not protected,” said Prabowo.
Therefore, Prabowo emphasized that the TNI and Polri must be at the forefront to protect the entire Indonesian nation.
“So, brothers and sisters, your entry into the TNI and Polri is part of the national goal. We need a very strong army, we need a very excellent police force. This is our survival as a nation,” Prabowo emphasized.
“The fate of the nation and its people rests on your shoulders. You are chosen, trained, and when the time comes, you must defend the Homeland,” he continued.
Prabowo also mentioned a study by Harvard University on civilizations that lasted over 300 years, where there are three essential elements that must always be present: superior army, superior intelligence (police), and superior bureaucracy (ASN/Civil Service).
Prior to this event at Balai Sudirman, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin also gave guidance to the Young Officer Candidates (Capaja) of the TNI-Polri 2024, urging them to be responsive and proactive in addressing public complaints.
Also present at the event were the Commander of the TNI, the Chief of Police, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and senior officials of the TNI and Polri.