Jakarta – A respectful moment was shown by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto when visiting former Minister of State for Development Monitoring and Environment Emil Salim at Emil’s residence in Jakarta on Wednesday (22/1).

During the meeting, Prabowo respectfully greeted and shook hands with Emil while apologising for only being able to visit him this morning.

‘Extraordinary, Mr Emil,’ Prabowo said to Emil.

‘I should have gone ahead,’ said Emil, who actually wanted to welcome Prabowo in front of his residence.

‘No, no, no. It’s amazing, Mr Emil. I apologise for coming just now,’ Prabowo said to Emil.

After the meeting, Prabowo said Emil was an exemplary figure as a state official in the era of President Soeharto, who had an orientation of service to the country.

‘The point that I caught from him, he reminded me that a minister is a state official, meaning that his orientation of service is the state,’ he said.

This orientation to the state should be believed by state officials, regardless of different backgrounds, such as from political parties, community organisations, academics, and NGOs.

‘We are reminded that as state officials, our first orientation is to the state. Some of us come from political parties, some from community organisations, some from academia, scientists, some from NGOs, NGOs, but once sworn in, serving as state officials, our orientation, our interests are for the state,’ he said.

‘For that I thank you because I feel that even though there are so many figures from various backgrounds, what I feel now is that our orientation is the interests of the country, the interests of the people. And I think this is felt by our people,’ Prabowo continued. (RR)