TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto called on Indonesia's political elites to work together despite electoral competition, citing his own experience of losing four national elections before eventually winning the presidency.
Speaking before thousands of university rectors, deans, and lecturers at the Indonesian Convention on Science, Technology, and Industry in Jakarta on Friday, June 26, Prabowo said the country's challenges require collective reflection and cooperation.
"I have always tried to pursue politics peacefully and through persuasion. As a political leader, I was elected democratically," Prabowo said.
The Gerindra Party chair recalled his previous electoral defeats, including his unsuccessful bid in the Golkar Party's 2004 presidential convention, his loss as a vice-presidential candidate in 2009, and his defeats in the 2014 and 2019 presidential elections.
Prabowo said he secured the people's mandate only on his fifth attempt and emphasized that he respected the outcome of each election.
"I lost four times, but I did not disrupt the leader who received the people's mandate," he said.
The retired Army general acknowledged that losing an election is difficult but argued that accepting the result is essential to preserving peace and democratic stability.
"Losing is painful, but I understand the alternatives," he said.
Prabowo added that Indonesia's democracy is based on the principle of popular sovereignty, which is expressed through elections.
"In a democracy, the people's sovereignty is exercised through elections," he said.
The remarks were delivered during a "National Dialogue" session held as part of the three-day Indonesian Convention on Science, Technology, and Industry, organized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology under the theme "Strategies for Indonesia's Economic Self-Reliance and Prosperity."
The event was also attended by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Higher Education, Science, and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
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