Rahel Narda Chaterine, Nawir Arsyad Akbar, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has alluded to foreign parties who dislike Indonesia being a strong nation.
This was conveyed by Prabowo when he asserted that Indonesia was capable of handling the disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra.
"There is a tendency among a handful of people, especially perhaps those who have political motives or frankly I see that perhaps there are foreign parties, forces which I have never understood, that dislike Indonesia, that dislike Indonesia being strong", said Prabowo during a plenary cabinet meeting on Monday December 15.
He emphasised that Indonesia is a strong country in handling the disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra. This is evident in the government's swift response in dealing with and assisting disaster victims in the three provinces.
"Tens of thousands of personnel were deployed there in the initial moments (of the disaster). We see the evidence, I see that now, perhaps, there are some parties who are worried because only now the people see that it turns out the Indonesian government is strong", said Prabowo.
On that occasion, Prabowo also recounted receiving phone calls from many heads of state wanting to send aid to Sumatra. However, Prabowo expressed his gratitude and told them that Indonesia was capable of handling the disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra.
"I received calls from many leaders, heads of state wanting to send aid. I said, 'Thank you for your concern, [but] we are capable'. Indonesia is capable of dealing with it", said Prabowo.
Prabowo also conveyed his appreciation and gratitude to the central and regional governments, related institutions and volunteers involved in disaster management in Sumatra.
"Thank you, so I am grateful to have sisters and brothers who have worked hard. So the people thank me, but I consider their gratitude to me as gratitude to all of us, our entire team", said Prabowo.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Di Sidang Kabinet, Prabowo Sebut Ada Pihak Luar yang Tidak Suka Indonesia Kuat".]
